BREAKING: Bok Ntlabakanye banned for 18 months

Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been banned from all rugby for 18 months after testing positive for a banned substance.

Ntlabakanye has been withdrawn from this weekend's Vodacom United Rugby Championship match for his team - the Fidelity Securedrive Lions against Irish team Munster because the ban is in effect from 13 May.

In addition to the ban, Ntlabakanye has to forfeit all moneys earned, whether from match fees, man of the match awards or bonuses from when the sample was taken in 22 May 2025.

The Independent Doping Tribunal Panel (IDHP)’s decision means that Ntlabakanye will miss the 2027 Rugby World Cup and is only allowed to play again after 13 November 2027.

Ntlabakanye now has 21 days to decide whether to appeal the decision.

SA Rugby claimed that it was prescribed by a specialist physician early in 2025 for medical reasons and was taken with the approval of a medical doctor.

IDHP STATEMENT

In its deliberation, the IDHP released the following statement:

“The Independent Doping Tribunal Panel (IDHP) handed down its decision on the doping charge against Springbok and Lions rugby player, Asenathi Ntlabakanye. The player is bannedfor 18 months from sport for his doping offence, effective from 13th May 2026.

The Player, SAIDS, World Rugby and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have 21 days within which to file an appeal against the sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The ban will expire on the 13th November 2027,” the statement said.

“The Player’s urine sample tested positive for the Hormone and Metabolic Modulator, Anastrozole during an out-of-competition test on the 22nd May 2025. In terms of the South African Anti-Doping Rules, this substance is classified as a “specified substance” and does not warrant a mandatory suspension.

"The player also self-declared the use of a prohibited anabolic steroid, DHEA. On 9th September 2025 he was formerly charged for the presence and use of Anastrozole and the use of DHEA.”

While it hasn’t been confirmed, Anastrazole and DHEA are commonly prescribed in conjunction with weight-loss drugs such as Monjaro.

“The Player challenged the doping charge and was afforded the opportunity to present his case and version of events to the IDHP. The hearing was held over two days in March and concluded with the Player and SAIDS providing closing arguments on the 21st April 2026.

"The IDHP had to determine whether the anti-doping rule violations were international, the degree of his fault in relation to the facts of the case and what the appropriate period of Ineligibility (sanction) would be.

“Within the framework of the SA Anti-Doping Rules, the IDHP ruled that Mr. Ntlabakanye must serve an 18 month ban for doping as of 13th May 2026.

"Furthermore, the IDHP ruled that all the player’s individual competitive results and benefits such as player-of-the-match awards, personal accolades, match fees and bonuses are disqualified with effect from the date of sample collection and the disqualification of results is limited to the player’s own individual competitive results and benefits and does not extend to a team result.

"SAIDS is reviewing the merits of the decision within the framework of the Anti-Doping Rules to decide whether it will appeal the decision.”

LIONS TO STAND BY NTLABAKANYE

The Lions confirmed the ban on Thursday and said they would stand by Ntlabakanye.

"Lions Rugby Company confirms that it has received communication from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) regarding the decision to sanction Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye for a period of 18 months following an anti-doping rule violation," a statement said.

"The Lions Rugby Company, together with MyPlayers – The Rugby Players’ Organisation, will deliberate on the appropriate next steps. During this time, the Lions Rugby Company will continue to support Ntlabakanye as he navigates the process ahead.

"As a result of SAIDS’ decision, Ntlabakanye’s period of ineligibility commenced on 13 May 2026, which rules him out of this weekend’s Round 18 Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixture against Munster.

"No further comment will be made by the Lions Rugby Company or the player until the process regarding the way forward has been concluded."