Springbok and Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakhanye is on the verge of facing a possible four-year ban.
This comes as the 26-year-old, who made his international debut for the Springboks earlier this year, tested positive for the use of a banned substance during a routine test while on national duty.
As a result, this saw him miss out on being selected to tour New Zealand along with the rest of his teammates. Asenathi, meanwhile, denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the non-performing enhancer was to assist with a medical issue and was prescribed by sports medical professionals who he claimed had given him the green light.
Meanwhile, new developments have since unfolded, and according to news publication Daily Maverick, a second doping offense was detected by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS).
SAIDS charged the 26-year-old with taking dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a “non-specified” and performance-enhancing substance, which is reported to be unrelated to the previous incident that took place in August.
It is further reported that before the test, Asenathi was transparent and declared that he took the “drug”.
Speaking to EWN, Khalid Galant, CEO of SAIDS, said, “In sport, the rules are pretty rigid… There is strict liability, so the athlete is still held liable for whatever is found in their system, irrespective of who told them to ingest it.”
As it stands, he is not suspended and might be able to venture on the November end-of-year tour to France, Ireland, Italy, and Wales.
Also see: Bok foundation shaken, prop tests positive for banned substance
