By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springboks winger and world cup winner Sbu Nkosi faces a potential career-ending doping ban after testing positive for the use of a banned substance.
According to Rapport, Nkosi returned a positive test for an anabolic steroid mainly used by bodybuilders. He was one of three Springboks tested by World Rugby in May.
The 28-year-old could be suspended for four years if his B-sample returns the same positive test as his A-sample, which is often the case with doping cases.
The news is the latest setback in Nkosi’s rugby career. He was given a career lifeline by the Cheetahs, who gave him a one-year contract in March after falling out at the Bulls.
Nkosi, whose off-field problems are well-documented, reached a mutual agreement with the Vodacom Bulls to terminate his contract early last June.
His one-season stint at Loftus Versfeld ended under a cloud after he took a not-so-subtle dig at the Bulls on his social media page, while touring with the World XV in England.
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sports (Saids) were contacted for comment but the chief executive Khalid Galant was unable to comment.
“We sometimes do tests on their behalf in South Africa but I cannot comment on tests that fall under World Rugby’s authority.”
Nkosi is one of the players on a PONI (player of national interest) contract meaning that SA Rugby pays part of his salary every month.
The winger debuted for the Springboks in 2018 against England and played a total of 16 Test matches scoring nine tries with his final appearance being in 2021 against New Zealand in Australia.
Nkosi becomes the fourth Springbok since 2019 to test positive for banned substances after Aphiwe Dyantyi, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Elton Jantjies all tested positive.
Dyantyi has since returned to the rugby pitch after a four-year ban that he served between 2019 and 2023 while Ralepelle’s career ended in 2019 when he tested positive for Zeranol and was banned for eight years in 2019.