Asenathi Ntlabakanye has become the third South African rugby player to receive a ban for breaking anti-doping rules in the last two years.
The Springboks, who have won back-to-back World Cups under Rassie Erasmus’ guidance, have already seen Sbu Nkosi and Elton Jantjies hit with suspensions following positive tests.
Now, three-cap prop Ntlabakanye has joined them by being suspended for 18 months in a development which means he won’t be able to play a part in South Africa’s defence of their global title in 2027.
Ntlabakanye tested positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in 2025, self-declaring he had done so on the grounds he thought
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