GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 12: Asenathi Ntlabakanye of the Springboks during the 2025 Castle Lager Incoming Series match between South Africa and Italy at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on July 12, 2025 in Gqeberha, South Africa. (Photo by Anton Geyser/Gallo Images)
Lions and Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been handed an 18-month ban by the Independent Doping Tribunal Panel, who heard the case, following a anti-doping violation.
The Lions said in a statement on Thursday they would deliberate with MyPlyers – the players’ association – on the appropriate next steps.
They added they would continue to support Ntlabakanye.
The prop is ineligible to play from 13 May, ruling out of the rest of the URC season as well as the Springbok Test matches this year. His ban will run until 13 November 2027, putting him out of action for most of next year, including the Rugby World Cup.
Ntlabakanye failed a random urine test in May last year. He, however, stated he had been prescribed the banned medicine, which contained anastrozole, by a medical doctor.
This is a developing story.
