Asenathi Ntlabakanye is set to accept his 18-month doping suspension rather than mount an appeal, with the June 7 deadline fast approaching and the Lions and Springbok prop understood to have little appetite for a legal challenge.
Ntlabakanye tested positive for Anastrozole in August last year before self-declaring use of the anabolic steroid DHEA, which carries a maximum four-year ban. The tribunal imposed the lesser 18-month sanction, but it is sufficient to rule him out of the Rugby World Cup — his ban runs until November 13, the day of the final.
SAIDS chief executive Khalid Galant confirmed no formal appeal correspondence has been received, and reports from Rapport indicate Ntlabakanye is disinclined to pursue one. The calculus is straightforward: an appeal carries the risk of an extended suspension and substantial legal costs.
The suspension came into effect on May 13 rather than being backdated, as Ntlabakanye continued to play after being formally charged. Under the tribunal ruling, all his individual competitive results, match fees, bonuses and personal accolades from the date of sample collection are disqualified, though team results are unaffected.
SAIDS has confirmed it is separately reviewing the decision to determine whether it will lodge its own appeal under the Anti-Doping Rules.
Ntlabakanye, 27, made his Test debut against Italy last July and featured in the Springboks' 73-0 defeat of Wales in November — after his doping charge had been filed.