Asenathi Ntlabakanye will have to wait until late April for a verdict in his doping case, following a hearing that has stretched over several months.
The Springbok and Lions prop recently appeared before a disciplinary panel in Johannesburg, seven months after testing positive for a banned substance. The hearing, which began last week, saw him step away from United Rugby Championship action to present his case.
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport confirmed that a ruling initially expected this week has been delayed.
“The hearing is ongoing, with a temporary pause, and closing arguments are scheduled for the last week of April,” said SAIDS CEO Khalid Galant.
Ntlabakanye tested positive in August last year for Anastrozole, a prohibited substance primarily used in the treatment of breast cancer. While not considered performance-enhancing, the drug can block estrogen and is sometimes associated with mitigating the side effects of anabolic steroids.
The case has raised broader questions about the role and liability of medical professionals in prescribing medication, adding complexity beyond the athlete’s responsibility.
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