Asenathi Ntlabakanye Denies Doping Allegations After Failed Drug Test
Asenathi Ntlabakanye Denies Doping Allegations After Failed Drug Test
Springboks prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye denies wrongdoing after a failed drug test, citing prescribed medication, and will miss the New Zealand tour.
Springboks prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has denied any wrongdoing after testing positive for a banned substance, insisting the finding was linked to a legally prescribed medication.
A statement released Sunday by the South African Rugby Union confirmed that the two-test tighthead prop returned an “adverse analytical finding” in a random drug test conducted by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport earlier this year.
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“Ntlabakanye disputes that he has committed an anti-doping violation,” the Springboks said in the statement. “The non-performance-enhancing substance for which he tested positive was prescribed by a specialist physician early in 2025 for medical reasons and taken with the approval and the supervision of a medical doctor specifically appointed to manage the medical affairs of professional rugby players.”
The union added that Ntlabakanye “was transparent in his declarations, acted in good faith and at all times and followed the medical due process as prescribed by the industry. He relied on the relevant professional medical advice, and at no time did he seek to obtain an unfair advantage, nor did he take any medical substance without prior medical authorization.”
The 25-year-old frontrower will not be considered for South Africa’s upcoming tour of New Zealand while he prepares to contest the case. The decision removes a promising young option from coach Rassie Erasmus’s depth chart at a position already hit by injuries.
Ntlabakanye, a fan favorite for his power in the scrum and mobility in open play, made his international debut last month, coming off the bench in the Springboks’ 45-0 victory over Italy at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. He earned his second cap the following week against Argentina.
With veteran Frans Malherbe sidelined by a long-term injury, Erasmus has leaned on a group of experienced replacements to cover the No. 3 jersey. Wilco Louw, Vincent Koch, Neethling Fouché and Thomas du Toit are expected to battle for playing time in The Rugby Championship and beyond.
Anti-doping regulations in rugby, as in other professional sports, place strict responsibility on athletes for substances found in their bodies, even when prescribed by medical professionals.
Players can apply for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) if they require treatment involving banned substances. It is not yet clear whether Ntlabakanye obtained such an exemption.
South African rugby has dealt with high-profile doping cases before, though the Springboks have largely avoided controversy at the elite level in recent years.
Ntlabakanye’s case, given his status as a rising star in the front row, is expected to attract scrutiny, both domestically and abroad.
Supporters rallied to Ntlabakanye on social media Sunday, with many citing his transparency and emphasizing the medical context outlined in the Springboks’ release. Still, the forward faces a disciplinary process that could rule him out for months, depending on the findings of the independent tribunal that will hear his case.
For now, the young prop is focused on clearing his name.
“I have always played the game with integrity and respect,” Ntlabakanye said in a brief personal statement released through his management. “I trust that the process will show I did not seek to gain an unfair advantage. My only wish is to represent my country with honor.”
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