1
The reaction on Twitter to Sharks signing banned Aphiwe Dyantyi
Rugby in South Africa woke up on Tuesday morning to the revelation that Aphiwe Dyantyi has signed for the Sharks ahead of the upcoming expiry of his four-year suspension for doping. The ex-Springboks winger, who was voted World Rugby breakthrough of the year player in 2018 following his 13-cap emergence under Rassie Erasmus, missed the 2019 Rugby World Cup due to a failed drugs test with the Lions.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was December 2020 when a four-year ban was confirmed following his use of two anabolic steroids and selective androgen receptor modulator usage. That sanction is set to end on August 12 and ahead of that date, the Sharks have snapped up the now 28-year-old ahead of the 2023/24 URC season.
A 24-second audio message was posted by the Sharks on social media, Dyantyi saying: “More than anything I am just excited to be back, and I just trust that everyone around is as excited as I am to see what I can do. I only promise to give my best for the jersey.
“I have been now in Durban for quite some time, and I have kind of seen what the Sharks mean to the people. I want to contribute to that, and I have seen the pride that the people have, and I would like to honour that in all that I do and the fans to see that reflected in what I do on the field.”
His imminent return to playing professionally has generated plenty of reaction on Twitter, with some South African journalists leading the way.
Brendan Nel commented in a since-deleted tweet: “Very happy that Aphiwe Dyantyi has served his time and has found a home at the Sharks. But let’s not glorify a dope cheat who had opportunities to come clean and never chose to do so.”
Avuyile Sawula added: “The Sharks confirm the signing of Aphiwe Dyantyi!! BIG NEWS this morning! Dyantyi’s ban comes to an end this year and he’ll be able to train with the Durban side before being eligible to play in Aug. Oh yes, he’s back!!”
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, Sithale Kgaogelo reckoned: “Aphiwe Dyantyi might make his return to professional rugby in two months. I wonder where you’d have been if it wasn’t for the ban. One of the most talented backline players.”
There was also plenty of reaction from rugby fans. Here is a cross-section of what has been said:
“I’m all for second chances and redemption stories. I hope Aphiwe Dyantyi makes the most of this chance, but I reckon we might need to lower our expectations of him.”
“Makazole Mapimpi earned his first Bok cap at 29. Aphiwe Dyantyi’s ban ends this year and he’s 29 (sic) as well. it won’t be easy for him, but I still think he has a lot to offer.”
“When you serve a God of second chances Aphiwe Dyantyi is back baby!!”
ADVERTISEMENT
“Great to see Aphiwe Dyantyi return back into the fray. He was always a special talent. Thank you, Sharks Rugby!”
“I for one am not happy to see Aphiwe Dyantyi on the Sharks but it is what it is. Wrongdoing requires remorse and contrition, he showed none of that.”
“Aphiwe Dyantyi has served his suspension and is entitled to return to rugby… but it would be nice for either he or his new club to at least acknowledge his doping in statement welcoming him.”
“The Sharks did some massive signing in Aphiwe Dyantyi and it’s also good for him, the player. With the new coaching team at the franchise, can’t wait to see what they will have in store for the new season.”
“Question: If Aphiwe Dyantyi never got suspended, would Mapimpi have been there to score THAT try in the World Cup final? It’s just a question, I’m not fighting.”
“Let me take this opportunity to thank Cell C Sharks for giving my brother Aphiwe Dyantyi another chance in rugby world. Being a black man is hard to get such opportunity, I respect you Sharks.”
“It would be very interesting if you would interview Aphiwe Dyantyi. Aphiwe was a Springbok sensation but tested positive for prohibited substances before the 2019 Rugby World Cup and couldn’t be selected because of that. This is a huge story, and we need the truth!”
“I hope Aphiwe Dyantyi knows how much the rugby world missed him.”
?The Sharks confirm the signing of Aphiwe Dyantyi!!?
?BIG NEWS? this morning! Dyantyi’s ban comes to an end this year and he’ll be able to train with the Durban side before being eligible to play in Aug.
Oh yes he’s back!!????? pic.twitter.com/OPhq2y3sFO
— Avuyile Sawula (@av_sawula) June 13, 2023
Aphiwe Dyantyi might make his return to professional rugby in 2 months. I wonder where you’d have been if it wasn’t for the ban. One of the most talented backline players pic.twitter.com/y2Hvz1Sc2C
— SITHALE?? (@SithaleKgaogelo) June 11, 2023
Makazole Mapimpi earned his 1st bok cap at 29. Aphiwe Dyantyi's ban ends this year and he's 29 as well. it won't be easy for him but I still think he has a lot to offer
— , (@LTywabi) June 11, 2023
When you serve a God of second chances?? Aphiwe Dyantyi is back baby!! https://t.co/zKvsmHxIZ7
— Likholihle (@Likholihle_Sibz) June 13, 2023
Great to see Aphiwe Dyantyi return back into the fray. He was always a special talent. Thank you, @SharksRugby!
— Marc Jacobson (@MarciiiJacobson) June 13, 2023
I'm all for second chances and redemption stories. I hope Aphiwe Dyantyi makes the most of this chance, but I reckon we might need to lower our expectations of him. https://t.co/j2SGmDJiqz via @ewnreporter
— Mawande Mateza (@Mawandinho) June 13, 2023
I for one am not happy to see Aphiwe Dyantyi on the Sharks but it is what it is. Wrongdoing requires remorse and contrition, he showed none of that.
— Lloyd ?? (@Lloydbhudda) June 13, 2023
Aphiwe Dyantyi has served his suspension and is entitled to return to rugby… but it would be nice for either he or his new club to at least acknowledge his doping in statement welcoming him https://t.co/e3PkjFWENe
— Nick Butler (@NickJMButler) June 13, 2023
The Sharks did some massive signing in Aphiwe Dyantyi and its also good for him, the player. With the new coaching team at the franchise, can't wait to see what will they have in store for the new season.
— Ayanda Frances Felem (@AyandaFelemZA) June 13, 2023
Question: If Aphiwe Dyantyi never got suspended, would Mapimpi have been there to score THAT try in the World Cup final? It’s just a question, I’m not fighting ?? https://t.co/iQuoamsIzm
— Harold Siyaya (@Haroldsiyaya) June 13, 2023
Let me take this opportunity to thank Cell C Sharks for giving my brother Aphiwe Dyantyi another chance in rugby world, being a black man is hard to get such opportunity, I respect you Sharks.
— Xolani Twana (@TwanaXolani) June 13, 2023
@Solphendukaa it would be very interesting if you would interview Aphiwe Dyantyi .Aphiwe was a Springbok sensation but tested positive for prohibited substances before the 2019 rugby World Cup and couldn’t be selected because of that. This is a huge story and we need the truth !
— ? (@kingJames_p) June 12, 2023
I hope Aphiwe Dyantyi knows how much the rugby world missed him
— Him ? (@SirChitapi) June 11, 2023
Comments on RugbyPass
Well done Baby Boks we will take the Draw. No 9 senseless long passes in those conditions. let’s move on and hope for some good weather
3 Go to commentsHow did it end a draw. South Africa didn’t score any points as far as I can see
3 Go to commentsNo doubt this will be a fantastic occasion and I plan to be there, but I think the bean counters have won out over the rugby brains. In my opinion, it is foolhardy to give the Black Ferns the experience of playing in front of 60,000+ at Twickenham a year before they might be playing there in a World Cup Final. Better to play France at Twickenham and Black Ferns at Kingsholm. The difference in takings would be miniscule.
1 Go to commentsDom kant
191 Go to commentsBen is a little incel desperately trying to stir the pot and stay relevant. We used to get mad at his articles. Now we just feel sorry for him
191 Go to commentsPerhaps we may need to put an asterisk on NZ’s ‘87 WC win since the Boks weren’t there. You know, just as a reminder. Poor Ben Smith. Go cry somewhere else.
191 Go to commentsNz should have won. I didn't watch the game, but the ref was at fault and the bounce of the ball and the Bokke used the Bomb squad and the Bokke slow the game down and the Bokke scrum. They should remove the scrum. The Bokke are to strong. Not fair. Nz should have won
2 Go to commentsThanks for a much more balanced piece Ned and not that BS that Bin Smuth just posted a short while ago. read this article and then Bin Smuth’s and tell me there isn’t a huge difference🙄
2 Go to commentsWere the Baby Boks part of this game or did the Baby Blacks play themselves?🤔 That man Bin Smuth once again does a little write-up on the game and it is like 95% about the Baby Blacks🤣 Glad he ends off with the Baby Blacks were actually in cruise control for most of the game and weren’t actually playing for the win WTF🤣🤣 Maybe he was expecting the Baby Blacks to run rampant….
3 Go to commentsOne does not expect anything more from Ben Smith who epitomises the worst of New Zealand media arrogance and an inability to balance what he has to say about any team that beats the All Blacks. His reference to context is pathetically thin. He does not comment that Frizell deserved a red card given his blatant manipulation of his body to ensure that he could drop his body weight onto Mbonambi’s lower leg. No mention of the ball lost forward before the All Black’s try (lost in-field of the 5 metre line and gathered beyond). The All Black commitment and effort was superb and there was little in it. Given the Springbok passage to the final and the loss of their hooker in the first three minutes, their resolve and capacity to win their fourth final out of eight attempts (not three out of ten) deserves the praise that has been forthcoming from media around the world, worth reading and listening to. Ben should join his “pundit” friends on TV - he would fit in well. This sort of article reduces any credibility Rugby Pass has ever had. Why persist with this sort of nonsense? The man does his country and a rugby blog a disservice.
191 Go to commentsEtzebeth went on to say: “I would never dream of saying that systems stay in place following a change in captain. To say that would be deeply, deeply, disrespectful of Siya. A while back an Irish person told me they would be fine without Sexton, so I’m just responding to that.”
3 Go to commentsClose games are what we want to see…. What a match it was…. I am sure that everyone was drained by the end of it. The reality of it all there has to be a winner and a loser. The fact that we still talking about it is almost 6 months to the day Rugby is the winner.. Asante sana… Here is to 2027 and what it will bring out.
191 Go to commentsIt’s going to be a good game. COYQ
1 Go to comments“Shock”, the guy was casually saying he was just slightly surprised. Nowadays if you say anything it gets taken completely out of context. Calm down everyone.
156 Go to commentsAll I can say after reading this bitter, sour, sad piece is… Thank you very much! This will be read in the change room just before kick off on 31 August…
191 Go to commentsLook, we know contradicting opinions and wacky comments bring readers and clicks, so well done to RP for allowing always-wrong-Ben to say something here. However RP needs to put a disclaimer next to his comments for their own credibility. NZ was and is incapable of acknowledging their opp beating them. They refused so with Ire and with Arg in 2022 and also the Boks in 2023 x 2. Nothing Ben says here holds water, NZ attacked backwards, except when Kolisi and Kolbe was off And cyncialy took out Bongi, we played without lineouts for 75mins. Kolisi and Kurt-Lee almost scored twice. Thats 3 vs 2 for Boks, but the Boks opportunities was legal. Boks should have been 16-3 up by half time. Tacticaly the Boks attacked better defended better scrummed better (without a hooker) kicked better and crossed the whitewash more times. Boks beat Fr Eng Nz to win in 23, comeon give some credit at least. Even Federer Verstappen NY Mets, Mamoa, was able to see a great human sport achievement by the Boks and their DNA Boks #RWC27 !🏉
191 Go to commentsForget the 85kg bit, that can become something else. However I do like the one off test on ANZAC day idea. SR plays Fri/ Sat, test players travel Sunday and the squads have the full week together before playing Saturday. Rest of SR has a week off. Either involve women's teams in same location or in the other country and rotate annually. Herbert is right in that change is needed.
3 Go to commentsI’ve read loads of nonsense before but this article takes the cake. Or perhaps someone changed the date for April Fool's Day.
3 Go to commentsReally Rugbypass? Ben Smith I think you forgot what the Springboks did to the All Blacks at Twickenham 8 weeks earlier? Springboks 35 All Blacks 7. There is alot of ifs and buts in your article. The All Blacks threw the sink at the Springboks and unfortunately they were not good enough regardless if they played with 14 men or not. It was the Springboks who forced the All Blacks to make mistakes! Sorry but not Sorry the Springboks is the best ever Rugby World Cup Nation in the world. 4 Cups baby!
191 Go to commentsYou just backed the Boks with that fantastic review! Well done! Have some cake!
191 Go to comments