Lions tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been handed an 18-month suspension by an independent doping tribunal, effectively ending his Rugby World Cup hopes. The ban runs from 13 May 2026 and expires on 13 November 2027 — the day of the World Cup final.
Ntlabakanye tested positive for Anastrozole, a hormone and metabolic modulator, during an out-of-competition test on 22 May 2025. He also self-declared use of the anabolic steroid DHEA, which he said had been prescribed by a specialist physician early in 2025 for medical reasons and taken with the approval of a medical doctor. He was formally charged by SAIDS on 9 September 2025.
The tribunal has disqualified all of Ntlabakanye's individual competitive results, personal accolades, match fees and bonuses from the date of sample collection, though team results are unaffected.
Despite being formally charged in September, Ntlabakanye continued to represent both the Lions and the Springboks in the intervening period, including featuring in South Africa's 73-0 win over Wales in the November series.
The Lions confirmed receipt of the SAIDS decision and said it would deliberate on next steps alongside MyPlayers. SAIDS, World Rugby, WADA and Ntlabakanye himself each have 21 days to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. SAIDS has confirmed it is reviewing the decision to determine whether it will appeal.