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Cape Town - SA Rugby on Tuesday announced that two players had been suspended for two years for the use of anabolic steroids and a third for three months for the use of a “recreational” drug after failing scheduled doping tests.
SA Rugby reiterated that the use of prohibited substances will not be tolerated.
The three players – all of them under 22 years of age – were tested during age grade competitions.
Ryan Louwrens, 18, of the Valke Rugby Union and Sonwabile Ntezo, 21, of the Eastern Province Rugby Football Union were both suspended for two years for the use of anabolic steroids.
Wandile Putuma, 19, from the Border Rugby Union was suspended for three months after testing positive for the use of cannabis.
Louwrens and Putuma represented their provinces in the Absa Under-19 competition during the 2009 season, while Ntezo played for his province in the Absa Under-21 competition.
“This is a massive concern, especially the use of anabolic steroids amongst younger players. These are players on the cusp of their professional careers in rugby,” said Dr Shuaib Manjra, a member of the South African Rugby Union’s Disciplinary Tribunal.
“We have an obligation to release their names and send a strong message to everyone involved that such behavior is completely unacceptable – in South African rugby and sport in general. That is also why we’ve imposed serious sanctions on these players.”
The Disciplinary Tribunal consisted of Advocate Jannie Lubbe (chairperson), Dr Manjra and Mr Nape Dolamo.
SA Rugby reiterated that the use of prohibited substances will not be tolerated.
The three players – all of them under 22 years of age – were tested during age grade competitions.
Ryan Louwrens, 18, of the Valke Rugby Union and Sonwabile Ntezo, 21, of the Eastern Province Rugby Football Union were both suspended for two years for the use of anabolic steroids.
Wandile Putuma, 19, from the Border Rugby Union was suspended for three months after testing positive for the use of cannabis.
Louwrens and Putuma represented their provinces in the Absa Under-19 competition during the 2009 season, while Ntezo played for his province in the Absa Under-21 competition.
“This is a massive concern, especially the use of anabolic steroids amongst younger players. These are players on the cusp of their professional careers in rugby,” said Dr Shuaib Manjra, a member of the South African Rugby Union’s Disciplinary Tribunal.
“We have an obligation to release their names and send a strong message to everyone involved that such behavior is completely unacceptable – in South African rugby and sport in general. That is also why we’ve imposed serious sanctions on these players.”
The Disciplinary Tribunal consisted of Advocate Jannie Lubbe (chairperson), Dr Manjra and Mr Nape Dolamo.
