The South African has been banned with immediate effect and his club side have issued a statement in the week the sport was rocked by the Georgian doping scandal
South Africa international Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been handed an 18-month ban in the latest anti-doping scandal to rock rugby.
The Springboks tighthead has been suspended with immediate effect following an anti-doping rule violation, ruling him out until November 2027 and effectively ending his hopes of playing at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The sanction was imposed by an Independent Doping Tribunal Panel following a hearing overseen by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport.
South African side the Lions confirmed the decision in an official statement, revealing the 27-year-old will miss this weekend’s United Rugby Championship clash with Munster Rugby along with all remaining fixtures during the suspension period.
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“The Lions Rugby Company confirms that it has received communication from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport regarding the decision to sanction Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye for a period of 18 months following an anti-doping rule violation,” the statement read.
“The Lions Rugby Company, together with MyPlayers – The Rugby Players’ Organisation, will deliberate on the appropriate next steps.
“As a result of SAIDS’ decision, Ntlabakanye’s period of ineligibility commenced on 13 May 2026.”
Ntlabakanye had continued to feature for both the Lions and the Springboks while proceedings were ongoing, including recent appearances against Leinster and Wales.
The ruling also strips the front-rower of individual results, earnings and awards dating back to the time of his positive test, although team results remain unaffected. He retains the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The news comes just days after another major doping controversy shook the sport involving former Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze.
Sharikadze, who led Georgia to their famous 13-12 victory over Wales in Cardiff in 2022, was banned for 11 years earlier this week following a joint investigation between the World Anti-Doping Agency and World Rugby.
The investigation, named Operation Obsidian, uncovered an alleged scheme involving sample substitution and advance warnings of drug tests within Georgian rugby.
Five players from the side that beat Wales in Cardiff were among those sanctioned, while Georgia’s former chief medical officer Nutsa Shamatava received a nine-year ban.
WADA president Witold Banka described the situation in Georgian rugby as “outrageous” and warned there could yet be further sanctions to come.