Springbok and Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been banned from all rugby for 18 months by the Independent Doping Tribunal Panel (IDHP) after testing positive for the hormone and metabolic modulator Anastrozole during an out-of-competition test on 22 May 2025. He also self-declared use of the prohibited anabolic steroid DHEA, and was formally charged for both violations on 9 September 2025.
The ban, effective from 13 May 2026, rules Ntlabakanye out until 13 November 2027 — beyond the 2027 Rugby World Cup. He is immediately unavailable for the Lions' Round 18 URC fixture against Munster this weekend.
In addition to the suspension, the IDHP has disqualified all individual results, match fees, player-of-the-match awards and bonuses from the date of sample collection. The ruling does not extend to team results.
Ntlabakanye and his legal team argued that the Anastrozole had been prescribed by a specialist physician early in 2025 for medical reasons and taken with a doctor's approval. The IDHP determined the violations were not intentional but still imposed the 18-month sanction within the framework of the SA Anti-Doping Rules, which classify Anastrozole as a specified substance — meaning no mandatory suspension automatically applies.
Ntlabakanye, along with SAIDS, World Rugby and WADA, has 21 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. SAIDS has confirmed it is reviewing the merits of the decision to determine whether it will lodge its own appeal.
The Lions issued a statement confirming they will stand by the player. "The Lions Rugby Company, together with MyPlayers – The Rugby Players' Organisation, will deliberate on the appropriate next steps. During this time, the Lions Rugby Company will continue to support Ntlabakanye as he navigates the process ahead," the statement read, adding that no further comment would be made until the way forward has been determined.