adminPretoria — South African rugby was rocked on Tuesday with the confirmation that two players had tested positive during routine testing for using banned substances.
South Africa Rugby confirmed to supersport.com that they had been informed by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) that two players from two separate rugby unions had tested positive during recent testing that took place in local conditions and that the process for a hearing for these players would now follow its course.
SARU would not name the players, and said the normal protocol was to protect the players’ identities with the matter being referred back to SAIDS.
SAIDS Chief Executive Khalid Galant confirmed the same to supersport.com and said that the players had been informed of the positive test through their unions.
Players could ask for a B-sample to be tested, but this was not a mandatory next step in cases like these.
“In some cases players accept the findings and do not contest them, so as to have their suspension begin as soon as possible,” Galant told supersport.com
The players, whose names are known to supersport.com, will now need to respond to the findings and decide whether or not they will contest them.
If they are found guilty, they face bans between two and four years, depending on the outcome of their disciplinary hearings.
Meanwhile, outgoing Sharks CEO John Smit says the union was saddened to hear the news of hooker Monde Hadebe being banned for doping.
Hadebe, 25, was on Wednesday banned from rugby for four years for a steroid-related doping offence.
He tested positive for two forbidden forms of steroid, Khalid Galant, chief executive officer for the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), confirmed.— AFP.
Online Reporter