South African international rugby prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who features for the Johannesburg-based Lions franchise, has received an 18-month competition ban after being found in violation of global anti-doping regulations. The sanction will effectively exclude the 27-year-old front-rower from competing at the 2027 Rugby World Cup hosted in Australia.
The case dates back to a routine out-of-competition test conducted in 2025, where Ntlabakanye returned a positive result for Anastrozole, a classified hormone and metabolic modulator. While a positive test for this substance alone does not trigger an automatic mandatory suspension under current anti-doping frameworks, the prop further complicated his case when he voluntarily admitted to also using Dehydroepiandrosterone, more commonly known as DHEA.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), DHEA is categorized as a banned substance because it works to naturally boost the body’s testosterone production. Elevated testosterone levels accelerate muscle recovery and growth, which can deliver an unfair competitive advantage to athletes who use the compound. Court documents confirm Ntlabakanye told investigators he was unaware DHEA was prohibited, believing it was a permitted supplement.
Following formal charges brought by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), an independent anti-doping tribunal reviewed the evidence and handed down the 18-month suspension. The ban officially entered into force on 13 May 2025, and is scheduled to end in November 2026 – which falls after the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Ntlabakanye retains the right to launch an appeal against the ruling within a 21-day window from the announcement of the decision.
In an official statement confirming the sanction, the Lions Rugby Company acknowledged that SAIDS had notified the club of the anti-doping rule violation. The franchise added that it would stand by the player throughout the remainder of the process, saying: “During this time, the Lions Rugby Company will continue to support Ntlabakanye as he navigates the process ahead.”
Ntlabakanye earned his first senior international cap for the Springboks against Italy in July 2025, and went on to feature in two more test matches for the world-famous national side, bringing his total senior South Africa caps to three before the ban was announced. His final outing for the Lions came just last Saturday, where the Johannesburg side fell to defeat against Irish giants Leinster in the United Rugby Championship.