Anatomy of an 18-month doping ban

How a Springbok-camp test in May 2025 led — via prescription, lab, hearing room and ruling — to a player missing Rugby World Cup 2027.

01 Medical Pathway Jan – May 2025

Late Jan 2025 Medical
Lions arrange specialist referral to an endocrinologist for weight-loss treatment.
30 Jan 2025 Medical
First consultation — blood tests ordered. No anti-doping discussion takes place.
3 Feb 2025 Medical
Anastrozole, DHEA and Mounjaro prescribed. Athlete takes the script to the Lions doctor, who says “all good”.
Feb – May 2025 Medical
Lions office controls all medication — weekly packs dispensed. Athlete never knows the drug names.

02 ADRV May – Jul 2025

22 May 2025 Sample
Out-of-competition test at the Springbok camp. Athlete self-declares DHEA after asking the Lions office what he is taking.
14 Jul 2025 AAF
Doha lab confirms Anastrozole. Saids issues a Notice of Allegation.

03 Legal September 2025

1 Sep 2025 Response
Athlete accepts the ADRV, denies intent, and blames a Lions medical-system failure.
9 Sep 2025 Charged
Three ADRVs charged — Anastrozole presence, Anastrozole use, DHEA use. The 4-year default sanction is triggered.
↗Read · “Bok prop facing four-year ban on second doping charge relating to prescribed medication”
26 Sep 2025 Legal
Athlete pleads No Fault or, alternatively, No Significant Fault — requests a hearing.
↗Read · “Ox Nché out of Bok tour, allowing a way back for doping-accused Ntlabakanye”

04 Hearing Mar – Apr 2026

25 – 26 Mar 2026 Hearing
Evidence heard — five lay witnesses, five expert witnesses. Both the endocrinologist and the Lions doctor decline to testify.
↗Read · “Ntlabakanye doping hearing adjourned to allow time for closing arguments”
21 Apr 2026 Hearing
Closing arguments. Saids argues indirect intent; the athlete argues system failure and a lack of autonomy.

05 Outcome May 2026 onwards

13 May 2026 Ruling
18-month ban handed down. No intent found; no significant fault. Individual results disqualified from 22 May 2025.
↗Read · “Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye banned for 18 months for doping violation”
By 3 Jun 2026 Appeals
21-day window for the athlete, Saids, World Rugby or Wada to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
13 Nov 2027 Ban ends
Ban expires. Rugby World Cup 2027 (Aug – Oct, Australia) missed entirely if there is no successful appeal.