Springboks Prop Ntlabakanye Banned 18 Months for Doping

Asenathi Ntlabakanye, tighthead prop for both the Springboks and the Lions, has been handed an 18-month ban after testing positive for Anastrozole and self-declaring use of DHEA. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport imposed the suspension on May 13, running until November 13, 2027 — which happens to be the day of the 2027 Rugby World Cup final.

The positive test was taken on May 22, 2025. He wasn’t formally charged until September, and despite the charges being on the table, he carried on playing — including in South Africa’s 73-0 demolition of Wales. SA Rugby argued that the DHEA had been prescribed by a specialist physician for a medical condition. The tribunal still sanctioned him.

All of his individual results, match fees, and player-of-the-match awards from the date of the positive test onwards have been disqualified. Both parties have 21 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.