Doping all-clear for Boks

Stephen Nell, Beeld

London – There was some relief for the beleaguered touring Springboks on Thursday with the news that there were no further positive dope tests in the wake of the weekend’s defeat to Scotland.

Six Nations Rugby Limited, who are responsible for administering the anti-doping programme for the Autumn Internationals, made the announcement on Thursday evening.

“In accordance with IRB Regulation 21 and the Autumn Internationals Rules, Six Nations Rugby carried out a number of target tests at the Scotland v South Africa match on 20 November 2010.

The samples collected during those target tests were analysed by a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The laboratory today informed Six Nations Rugby that none of the samples collected at the Scotland v South Africa match returned a positive result,” Six Nations Rugby Limited said in a statement.

Six Springboks and two Scottish players were asked for urine samples over the weekend. It followed the positive tests returned by Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine.

Both players were shocked by the positive tests and a panic-stricken Bok management suspended the use of dietary supplements as a precautionary measure.

Ralepelle and Basson had also been treated for flu in the build-up to the test against Ireland in Dublin, after which they were tested.

The South African camp is still awaiting the outcome of tests on several products that they sent away to be tested in an effort to get to the root of the positive tests returned by Ralepelle and Basson.

Six Nations Rugby Limited also confirmed that it is normal procedure to target two players from each side for samples. The Bok management was surprised over the weekend when six of their players were targeted.

Jon Davis, the Six Nations Tournament and Operations Director, could not say whether this action was a result of the positive tests returned by Ralepelle and Basson.

The two Boks have subsequently asked for their B samples to be tested.