Ntlabakanye withdraws from NZ tour after SAIDS positive

Asenathi Ntlabakanye, a Springbok prop who has earned two Test caps this year, tested positive in a random test conducted by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS). The substance detected is not considered performance-enhancing and was prescribed by a specialist earlier in 2025 for medical reasons, taken under the supervision of a team doctor responsible for the welfare of professional rugby players. Ntlabakanye maintains his innocence and says he acted in good faith, with full medical authorisation, and there was no attempt to gain an unfair advantage. He has been withdrawn from the forthcoming tour to New Zealand to allow him to defend his case through the official SAIDS process.

The governing bodies stressed that the substance was non-performance enhancing and that Ntlabakanye followed established medical protocols. In statements from SA Rugby, the player was described as transparent in declaring the medication and as having relied on appropriate medical advice at every stage. The emphasis from the unions and the sport’s administration is that there was no intent to circumvent anti-doping rules, and that medical care was managed under the industry’s...