Another doping scandal hits 2019 World Cup winners

NEWS: Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi has allegedly tested positive for the use of a banned substance.

The 2019 World Cup winner missed the Cheetahs’ Currie Cup Round Three match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

When Cheetahs coach Ivan van der Westhuizen announced his side for their Currie Cup encounter, it was said that Springbok was left out due to personal reasons.

However, on Sunday, the local Sunday newspaper Rapport broke the news that Nkosi returned a positive test for an anabolic steroid mainly used by bodybuilders.

According to the report, Nkosi was one of three Springboks tested by World Rugby in May this year.

It is believed that his routine urine test confirmed the Springbok’s use of a prohibited substance.

He is likely to request a B-sample test to prove his innocence.

However given that the A sample is positive is very rare that the B sample is not, so the 28-year-old faces a lengthy four-year ban from the game.

Nkosi is the second high-profile Springbok to test positive for the use of banned substances in less than a year.

Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies, who was also part of the 2019 World Cup squad, also tested positive for the use of Clenbuterol in September 2023.

Jantjies is still contesting his four-year ban that was issued to him earlier this year.

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sports (SAID) were contacted by @rugby365com. 

However, the chief executive Khalid Galant was unable to comment.

“It is not our case but World Rugby’s,” Gelant told the publication.

“Please contact them [World Rugby] for details and statement.”

World Rugby declined to comment, stating they don’t react to ‘speculation relating to anti-doping cases’.

The governing body added that the media should contact the player.

@rugby365com has reached out to the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and Cheetahs.

The last nail?

This could spell the end for Nkosi, who already had a troubling rugby career.

After his tenure at the Sharks (2017 to 2022) and Bulls (2022), the 28-year-old was handed a lifeline by Cheetahs earlier this year.

The Bloemfontein side gave him a one-year contract after his well-documented ugly spat with the Bulls.

The Pretoria-based terminated his contract last year in June after the two parties reached a mutual agreement.

His one-season stint at Loftus Versfeld ended on a sour note after his not-so-subtle dig at the Bulls on social media while playing a match for the World XV against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

After the match, he posted a message on social media which said: “It was reviving to my passion, to spend a mere week with men who are pure of heart.

“A break from being judged by men who are bigger in their minds than they are in reality.”

At the time, Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White expressed his disappointment with Nkosi’s comments.

During his time at the Bulls, he also struggled with mental health and went missing for three weeks in November 2022.

Nkosi made his Springboks debut 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.

He was part of the 2019 World Cup-winning squad under Rassie Erasmus.