The doping violation hearing for Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been adjourned until the end of April after five days of evidence last week. Saids charged him on 9 September 2025 for declaring the non-specified performance-enhancing drug Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on a medical form, despite no positive test. Closing arguments remain to be scheduled.
The hearing in Johannesburg, which began on 23 March 2026, concluded its evidence phase last Friday. All listed witnesses provided testimony over the week. Saids chief executive Khalid Galant stated that closing arguments are set for the last week of April, pending agreement on an exact date.
"Thereafter, the panel will deliberate and render a decision (hopefully within two weeks)," Galant told Daily Maverick. "The reason for the adjournment is to allow time for parties to prepare closing arguments, in light of the different expert testimonies that were delivered."
Ntlabakanye's lawyer, Barend Kellerman, confirmed the evidence was concluded last week but a date for arguments needs determination by the panel. "The panel will render a decision within (up to) 60 days of the argument being concluded," Kellerman said.
This charge is separate from an earlier Saru announcement on 24 August 2025 about an adverse finding for a specified non-performance-enhancing substance during Springbok duty in July 2025. Ntlabakanye declared the DHEA-containing prescribed drug after clearance from an endocrinologist and a sports doctor for weight issues. Under strict liability rules, his declaration triggered the charge, though the substance did not appear in tests.
Saru noted Ntlabakanye was transparent, acted in good faith, and followed medical protocols, with no Therapeutic Use Exemption applied. He faces a potential ban of up to four years but remains unsuspended and continues playing for the Lions.
