Two doping charges levelled at Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye

Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been issued with two formal doping charges, the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) has confirmed.

Khalid Galant, Chief Executive Officer of SAIDS, told Rugby 365 that the 26-year-old received a charge letter on Wednesday.

“We charged the athlete with two anti-doping rule violations,” Galant said. “One charge for specified substance [anastrozole] and the other charge for unspecified substance [DHEA].”

Despite the charges, Galant stressed that Ntlabakanye is “still not suspended” and remains eligible for selection at both franchise and international level until a hearing is concluded.

The confirmation of a second violation follows SARU’s August 24 announcement of an “adverse analytical finding” in random testing. At the time, SARU said Ntlabakanye disputes committing a doping offence. They stated the substance was prescribed by a specialist physician in early 2025 for medical reasons and taken under the supervision of a union-appointed doctor.

SARU added that he was transparent in his declarations, acted in good faith, and followed medical protocol. The union confirmed he will not be considered for the tour to New Zealand while he prepares his defence.

According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), anastrozole is a banned aromatase inhibitor usually used in cancer treatment. WADA notes that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is widely assumed to enhance performance by converting to testosterone, although “the literature on the ergogenic effects of DHEA intake is nevertheless very scant.”

The outcome of the hearing could have a major impact on Ntlabakanye’s career. Earlier this year the prop shed 20kg in a programme that included farm work, after previously struggling with weight management.

Exactly why a SARU-appointed doctor prescribed substances listed on WADA’s prohibited list remains unresolved.