Springboks rugby player Aphiwe Dyantyi facing doping ban
FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 file photo, South Africa’s Aphiwe Dyantyi, left, attempts to catch the ball as France’s Teddy Thomas runs in during their rugby union international at the Stade de France in Paris, France. South Africa wing Aphiwe Dyantyi, who won world rugby’s breakthrough player award in 2018, says he has failed a doping test. (Christophe Ena, File/Associated Press)
By Associated Press
August 30
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Springboks wing Aphiwe Dyantyi is facing a four-year ban after testing positive for anabolic steroids at a training camp with the South Africa squad last month.
The South African anti-doping agency said Friday that Dyantyi’s “B’’ sample this week confirmed the results of the test he failed at the camp on July 2.
“(Dyantyi) has now been formally charged with a doping offense for multiple anabolic steroids and metabolites,” the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport said.
Dyantyi won World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year award last year after a stellar start to his career with the Springboks. He scored six tries in 13 tests in his first season in international rugby, including two in South Africa’s victory over world champion New Zealand in Wellington.
He hasn’t played for South Africa since November and was not included in the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup squad after being provisionally suspended.
Dyantyi can admit to the charge and accept a ban or plead not guilty and go to a hearing, which would be held in the next four weeks, SAIDS said.
In a statement last weekend following news of the initial failed test, Dyantyi denied “ever taking any prohibited substance, intentionally or negligently, to enhance my performance on the field.”