Former Lions team doctor Rob Collins declined to testify at Asenathi Ntlabakanye's doping hearing, refusing a request from the tighthead prop's defence team on legal advice, according to Rapport.
The refusal proved significant. Ntlabakanye's defence had sought Collins as a witness precisely because the player's case rested on having shown his prescription to Collins — the doctor allegedly appointed to oversee medical matters for professional rugby players at the Lions — and receiving his approval before taking the medication. Two of the prescribed drugs contained banned substances, and Ntlabakanye tested positive in August 2025 before being formally charged in September.
The independent disciplinary panel handed down an 18-month suspension on May 13, 2026, which runs until November 13, 2027 — the day of the Rugby World Cup final in Australia. Ntlabakanye will miss the entire tournament. The maximum sanction available to the panel was four years; the circumstances of how he came to take the substances were evidently weighed in his favour.
Ntlabakanye's legal representative Barend Kellerman, when asked by Rapport whether the camp intends to sue Collins, said only: "I cannot comment on that." A decision on whether to appeal the suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected next week. Ntlabakanye, SAIDS, World Rugby and WADA each have 21 days from May 13 to lodge an appeal.
While Collins stayed silent, Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli testified on Ntlabakanye's behalf and has backed the 27-year-old throughout the process. The Lions have confirmed they will honour his contract, which runs to 2028, though he will forfeit match fees from both the franchise and the Springboks for the duration of the ban.
SARU's original statement in August stressed that Ntlabakanye had acted in good faith, followed correct medical procedures, and taken the medication under a doctor's supervision. Under global anti-doping regulations, however, the burden of responsibility remains with the athlete regardless of circumstance.