VIDEO: Rassie explains Ntlabakanye decision
REACTION: It was in his best interest!
That, in a nutshell, is the reason why Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus did not select gargantuan prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye for the New Zealand leg of the Rugby Championship.
The 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 case.
Erasmus, speaking from Auckland where the Springboks are preparing for a crunch match with the All Blacks on Saturday, said the player’s ‘legal’ battle is out of their control.
The Bok coach admitted that they have no control over the prop’s battle to clear his name.
However, he said it would have been ‘unfair’ to select the prop – even though he was eligible – but then expose him to intense media scrutiny.
Last week, the South African Rugby Union revealed that the Springbok prop had provided an ‘adverse analytical finding’ during random testing by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport.
SARU stated in their release 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.
The Bok coach confirmed that the decision not to select him was in the best interest of the player.
(Continue below …)
“We could’ve brought him on tour, but I had a long conversation with him about it,” Erasmus told an online media briefing from the Boks’ base in Auckland.
“If you look at the emotional and personal side of it, having Asenathi on tour would’ve led to a lot of questions for him.
“To play and be ready for a Test, your focus must be 100 percent on the match.
“In this situation, he needs to deal with the matter and ensure he presents his side of the case.
“It’s very emotional for him.
“Unfortunately, it would not have been in his best interest to be here with us.
“We had a good conversation about it.
“This process takes a lot of energy and a positive attitude, which are essential when going into a Test match.
“It would’ve been unfair to put him under that pressure and expect him to play while he has this to deal with.”
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.
The SARU release further stated: “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.
@king365ed
@rugby365com
