Ntlabakanye dope saga: Lions launch internal investigation
REACTION: The Asenathi Ntlabakanye doping saga took an intriguing twist over the weekend.
It was confirmed that the Lions Rugby Company has launched an ‘internal’ investigation into the Ntlabakanye case.
Last week, the South African Rugby Union revealed that the Springbok prop forward, Ntlabakanye, had provided an ‘adverse analytical finding’ during random testing by SAIDS.
SARU stated in their announcement that Ntlabakanye disputes having committed an anti-doping violation.
“It 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 players,” the SARU statement said.
Weekend media reports pointed the finger at the physician for ‘letting the player down’.
Lions Rugby Company CEO Rudolf Straeuli confirmed that an investigation is underway.
“I am not allowed to comment until the case is concluded,” Straeuli told @rugby365com.
Ntlabakanye was not considered for the current Rugby Championship tour of New Zealand, to allow the player to concentrate on defending the case.
SAIDS Chief Executive Officer Khalid Galant confirmed to @king365ed that the player, Ntlabakanye, was not provisionally suspended in terms of the Anti-doping Rules, as is normally the case.
“The non-selection of the athlete [player] for the NZ tour is a SARU decision,” the SAIDS boss added.
The disciplinary panel, Ntlabakanye’s counsel and SAIDS will mutually agree on a date for the hearing.
It is expected that the date for the hearing will be confirmed this week.
SARU stated in their announcement that Ntlabakanye disputes having committed an anti-doping violation.
“The hearing will be held in front of an independent panel that will adjudicate the matter within the framework of the SA Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code,” the SAIDS boss said.
SARU revealed that it was a ‘non-performance enhancing’ substance.
“It 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 players,” the SARU statement said.
“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.”
The onus is now on the player to prove the ingestion was unintentional and that he took precautions to avoid a banned substance.
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