The Lions Rugby Company has confirmed that it has received a decision from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) to sanction Lions and Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye for 18 months due to an anti-doping rule violation.
Lions Rugby Company Responds to Suspension
The Lions Rugby Company, along with MyPlayers – The Rugby Players’ Organisation, will now deliberate on the next steps to take. During this process, the company will continue to support Ntlabakanye as he navigates the way forward.
Ntlabakanye’s period of ineligibility began on 13 May 2026, which means he will miss this weekend’s Round 18 Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixture against Munster. The Lions Rugby Company and Ntlabakanye will not make any further comments until the process is concluded.
Understanding the Violation
Last year, it was discovered that Ntlabakanye had tested positive for Anastrozole, a non-performance-enhancing banned substance. According to reports, he had been prescribed the substance by a specialist physician in early 2025 for medical reasons. However, under the principle of strict liability, athletes are responsible for checking everything they take.
The situation was complicated further when Ntlabakanye volunteered information that he had also taken dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a ‘non-specified’ and ‘performance-enhancing’ substance, in good faith.
Preparations for the Worst-Case Scenario
The Lions had already taken steps to bolster their front row stocks by recruiting former Junior Springbok prop Corne Weilbach. Coach Ivan van Rooyen admitted that one of the reasons for Weilbach’s recruitment was to prepare for the possibility of Ntlabakanye’s suspension.
“We believe and hope for the best for Asenathi. If it doesn’t turn out that way, though, that is one of the reasons why (Weilbach) joined us recently,” van Rooyen said.
The ban will rule Ntlabakanye out of the World Cup next year.
