Lions and Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been handed an 18-month suspension by an Independent Doping Tribunal Panel, a ban that will rule him out of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The sanction, which took effect on 13 May 2026, runs through to 13 November 2027—the day of the World Cup final.
The tighthead tested positive for Anastrozole, a hormone and metabolic modulator, during an out-of-competition test on 22 May 2025. He also self-declared the use of DHEA, a prohibited anabolic steroid. Ntlabakanye was formally charged on 9 September 2025, and the hearing concluded earlier this year. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport noted that Anastrozole is classified as a specified substance under South African anti-doping rules and does not warrant a mandatory suspension, though the panel opted for the 18-month term.
Lions withdraw prop from URC fixture
The Lions confirmed Ntlabakanye's withdrawal from their United Rugby Championship Round 18 fixture against Munster, scheduled for this weekend. In a statement, the franchise said it would deliberate on next steps alongside MyPlayers, the Rugby Players' Organisation, and pledged continued support for the player as he navigates the process ahead. Ntlabakanye must also forfeit all earnings—match fees, bonuses, and man-of-the-match awards—accrued from the date of the sample collection.
Ntlabakanye, the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, World Rugby, and the World Anti-Doping Agency have 21 days to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Lions declined further comment until the appeal window closes.
The suspension removes a front-row option from the Springbok depth chart at a critical juncture in the World Cup cycle. With the ban expiring on the day of the final, Ntlabakanye's participation in Australia remains contingent on a successful appeal or a reduction in sanction—a scenario that would require compelling mitigation. For now, the tighthead faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines and the prospect of missing rugby's showpiece tournament.