Springboks Withdraw Ntlabakanye After Positive Drug Test

Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been withdrawn from South Africa’s tour of New Zealand after returning an adverse result in a routine drug test carried out by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport.

The 26-year-old front row forward, who has earned two Test caps this year, strongly denies any wrongdoing. According to SA Rugby, the substance detected was not performance enhancing and had been prescribed by a medical specialist earlier in the year. It was administered under the supervision of a team doctor who manages player medical affairs.

SA Rugby stressed that Ntlabakanye was transparent throughout the process and had declared the medication in good faith. The governing body also emphasised that there was no attempt to gain an unfair advantage.

Ntlabakanye made his Test debut earlier in the season and featured off the bench against Italy and Australia. He will now focus on addressing the matter through the formal SAIDS adjudication process. Neither the player nor the Springbok management will provide further comment until the process has run its course.