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AUDIO: Ntlabakanye gets leadership role, despite looming dope hearing

By Angus Opperman
Friday 19 Sep 2025

Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi confirmed that Springbok Prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye will be selected for the Currie Cup Final and will have a leadership role.

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This comes despite awaiting a hearing for a doping violation.

Ntlabakanye has been formally charged with two doping charges but has not been suspended, with his hearing set to take place in December 2025.

The bruising prop made his Test debut this season after representing South Africa against the Barbarians in an international friendly (non-Test) back in July and has earned two Test caps.

Nkosi confirmed that Ntlabakanye will play in the Currie Cup Final this weekend against Griquas and that he’ll take on a leadership role in the big dance at Ellis Park.

The article continues below…

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“Asa [Ntlabakanye] will play and be a starter,” Nkosi said ahead of the Currie Cup Final face-off against Griquas at Ellis Park on Saturday.

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“We might as well come out straight [about it].

“He has been formally charged [for a doping violation], but he has not been suspended, so in the interim, he’s a contracted player for the Lions.

“He must play until his hearing in December.

“Importantly, though, we had a chat with him.

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“He has taken a couple of weeks to come to terms with what has happened and put together his own case he’s going to present.

“Emotionally, he’s comfortable [with playing]. In fact, he’s the vice-captain this weekend.

“It’s probably good to say that on behalf of the chairman and the CEO, there’s a lot of backing for him.

“The cards will fall whichever way they’ll fall, and we’re standing behind him.

“He is a guy who’s in a [good] emotional state now.

“He’s trained with us for the last two weeks, so we look forward to [seeing him back playing] and it’s right for him to play now with the upcoming United Rugby Championship [season] in mind.”

Related articles
Krappie, Asenathi earn top awards at the Lions
CONFIRMED: The charges and products in Bok’s doping case
VIDEO: Rassie explains Ntlabakanye decision
Ntlabakanye dope saga: Lions launch internal investigation

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