Ntlabakanye ruled out of World Cup following doping ban

Springboks and Lions prop, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, has been handed an 18-month bad for breaching anti-doping rules – a ruling that will rule him out of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Ntlabakanye, tested positive for the banned substance dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in 2025 and continued playing while the matter was under investigation.

The 27-year-old “self-declared” use DHEA, believing it was permitted. However, after being charged by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), has was sanctioned by an independent doping tribunal panel.

His suspension, which began on 13 May, will run until November next year, effectively ending after the World Cup in Australia. Ntlabakanye has 21 days to appeal the ruling.

The Lions confirmed that SAIDS had informed them of the sanction relating to an anti-doping rule violation.

The union said that the Lions Rugby Company will continue to support Ntlabakanye as he navigates the process ahead.

Statement by Lions Rugby Company on Asenathi Ntlabakanye Outcome.
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— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) May 14, 2026

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari