Another talented SA rugby player hit with doping ban

There is an ever-expanding doping cloud hanging over some sectors of SA rugby following the recent ban handed down to Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, while former Junior Springbok prop is also facing a serious case after he tested positive for an anabolic steroid.

It’s now been confirmed by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) that talented prop Deon Botes, who matriculated from Affies last year, returned a positive test for metabolites of nandrolone, an anabolic androgenic steroid.

The teenager represented the Bulls at last year’s U18 Craven Week in Middelburg, and it’s during this tournament that he he apparently returned the positive test. Botes later represented SA U18 A in the U18 International Series.

A disciplinary panel heard that Botes believed the substance had entered his system through a product called “Testojoint”, which he cited had been taken for shoulder pain and recovery.

“The athlete denied deliberate doping,” the decision reads. “The panel accepts that the athlete and his family gave their evidence sincerely and made substantial efforts to identify an innocent explanation … but they do not establish how the prohibited substance entered his system.”

Saids made a ruling that implied intention, and subsequently handed down a four-year ban.

STATEMENT FROM SAIDS OVER THE LATEST SA RUGBY DOPING CASE

Deon Botes

Rugby |Four (4) year sanction

Following an In-Competition test conducted on Deon Botes (the “Athlete”) during the Craven Week Rugby Tournament on 7 July 2025, the Athlete tested positive for the presence of 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone, which are metabolites of nandrolone in his urine Sample.

In terms of the World Anti-Doping Code (“WADC”) Prohibited List 2025, 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone are classified under Category S1 (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids), which is prohibited at all times (In- and Out-Of-Competition).

The Athlete exercised his right to a hearing which took place on 11 June 2026 before an Independent Doping Hearing Panel (IDHP). After consideration of all the evidence, the IDHP rendered a sanction of four (4) years. The Athlete’s period of Ineligibility began on 25 August 2025, the date he was placed on mandatory provisional suspension. He may return to participation in sport from 25 August 2029.

ANOTHER UNWANTED CASE

Just recently it was confirmed that Kai Pratt had returned a failed doping test that was conducted before the Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha earlier this year.

The talented youngster had already formed part of a Springbok alignment camp earlier this year, and was clearly in Rassie Erasmus’ long-term plans. He is still waiting for his B-sample to be tested.

“When an athlete indicates that they want their B-sample tested, there is still a process that must be followed,” Saids CEO Khalid Galant explained to Rapport.

“A deposit (apparently R24,000) must be paid, and a date must be arranged with the laboratory. An independent witness must also be present for the opening of the sample.”