SAIDS pours cold water on Jantjies comeback rumours
REACTION: The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport has poured cold water on recent rumours linking banned Springbok Elton Jantjies to a comeback.
Jantjies, 33, was banned for four years, after traces of the banned substance Clenbuterol was found in a sample taken from him in on 20 June last year – while he was a member of the Bok training squad.
The presence of the prohibited substance – or its metabolites or makers – resulted in SAIDS slapping the ban on the 2019 World Cup winner, who was capped 46 times.
The positive test was confirmed through a statement Jantjies released through his lawyer Barend Kellerman.
The South African Rugby Union also confirmed at the time they were ‘advised’ of the adverse finding.
The four-year ban was confirmed by SAIDS in January this year, after Jantjies did not exercise his right to have his case heard before an Independent Doping Hearing Panel.
However, the recent announcement by the World Anti-Doping Agency to suspend Africa’s only accredited drug-testing laboratory started a rash of rumours that spread like wildfire.
WADA confirmed last week it has suspended the South African Doping Control Laboratory in Bloemfontein for ‘up to six months’ – due to “multiple non-conformities” with international standards.
This put the rumour mill into overdrive, with suggestions that the ban of the Bloem lab has created a ‘loophole’ that could aid an appeal by Jantjies.
It was stated categorically that the Ellis Park-based Lions were keen to resign Jantjies to replace Sharks-bound Jordan Hendrikse.
However, Khalid Galant, Chief Executive Officer of SAID, told @rugby365com that the Jantjies case has “not been re-opened”, contrary to the many rumours.
“Jantjies will have a high bar to overcome to have his case re-heard,” Galant told this website.
“It would be unprecedented in our history and the burden of proof will be on Jantjies to first provide evidence and an argument within the framework of the World Anti-Doping Code on why his case should be heard de novo.
“Then evidence and proof of how the suspension of the Lab [procedures in the Bloem lab] caused his sample to be positive for a banned substance.”
Jantjies continues to vigorously exercise and share the ‘news’ with his followers on social media.
However, it appears his playing career has finally come to an end.
@king365ed
@rugby365com
