By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye maintains his innocence after a random test for a banned substance returned a positive result.
Ntlabakanye made his debut for South Africa earlier this year, but will not be considered for upcoming Tests against New Zealand in order to concentrate on defending the case against him.
The prop dispute that he has committed an anti-doping violation, with the SA Rugby Union saying that the two-cap international has been “transparent in his declarations, acted in good faith and at all times followed the medical due process as prescribed by the industry”.
A Springbok press release on Sunday confirmed that the two-Test tighthead prop had provided an “adverse analytical finding” during testing by the South African Institute for Drug Free sport.
“Ntlabakanye disputes that he has committed an anti-doping violation, said 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.
“Ntlabakanye was transparent in his declarations, acted in good faith and at all times 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 authorisation.
“Ntlabakanye will not be considered for the forthcoming tour to New Zealand to allow the player to concentrate on defending the case.”
Ntlabakanye came off the bench in the first Test against the Wallabies at Ellis Park. The Springboks lost that game 38–22 but bounced back 30-22 in Cape Town this Saturday.