Bok behemoth Asenathi Ntlabakanye faces anxious wait following doping hearing

The Lions star was off duty for three days last week for the disciplinary hearing, where he faces one charge of using a specified substance (anastrozole) and another charge for an unspecified substance.

Khalid Galant, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, revealed that there is still a lengthy process to be followed.

"The closing arguments by the defence and prosecution are scheduled for the last week of April," he said.

"Thereafter, the tribunal panel will deliberate and render the decision."

As per a release by SA Rugby, the substance was "prescribed by a specialist physician early in 2025 for medical reasons and taken with the approval and the supervision of a medical doctor specifically appointed to manage the medical affairs of professional rugby players." 

Then the unspecified substance (DHEA) did not come up in the test, but was revealed by Ntlabakanye.

"Ntlabakanye was transparent in his declarations, acted in good faith and at all times followed the medical due process as prescribed by the industry," continued SA Rugby.

"He relied on the relevant professional medical advice and at no time did he seek to obtain an unfair advantage, nor did he take any medical substance without prior medical authorisation."

Ntlabakanye remains eligible for selection for the Lions and the Springboks.