Asenathi Ntlabakanye won’t play rugby again until 13 November 2027 due to an anti-doping rule violation. But is this a fair punishment?
On 22 May 2025, Ntlabakanye tested positive for anastrozole, a non-performance-enhancing substance. He was also charged for declaring the use of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – a performance-enhancing substance – on a medical form.
Both drugs were prescribed and cleared by two medical professionals.
The Independent Doping Tribunal Panel (IDHP), which issued the ban, ruled that the Lions and Springbok prop must also forfeit any income and awards he received since first testing positive, while he stands to lose up to R5-million in Bok earnings alone over the next 18 months.
The player, Saids, World Rugby and the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) have 21 days in which to file an appeal against the sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Does Asenathi Ntlabakanye deserve an 18-month ban for an anti-doping rule violation?
Photo: Franco Arland/Getty Images
The post POLL: Does Bok prop deserve 18-month ban? appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
