South Africa prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye to miss World Cup due to 18-month ban

Lions' Asenathi Ntlabakanye is tackled by Leinster’s jimmy O’Brien. Pic: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

South Africa prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been handed an 18-month ban for breaking anti-doping rules, which will see him miss the 2027 World Cup.

Ntlabakanye, who plays his club rugby for the Lions in Johannesburg, returned a positive test for the banned substance Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in August last year, and continued to play as the investigation process continued.

Although Ntlabakanye thought using DHEA, which boosts testosterone and muscle growth, was allowed, he was charged by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport with an independent doping tribunal panel subsequently imposing a lengthy suspension.

The ban started on May 13 and will run through until November 2027 following the conclusion of the World Cup in Australia.

The Lions said the club would continue to support Ntlabakanye, who can lodge an appeal, as he “navigates the process ahead”.