Springbok star will miss 2027 Rugby World Cup after drugs ban

The Lions tighthead’s ban began on May 13, 2026 and runs until November 13, 2027 — the scheduled date of the World Cup final in Australia.

Unless the sanction is successfully overturned or reduced, he will be unavailable for the Springboks’ tournament campaign.

Ntlabakanye tested positive for anastrozole, a prohibited hormone and metabolic modulator, during an out-of-competition test on May 22, 2025.

The case also involved his self-declared use of dehydroepiandrosterone, commonly known as DHEA, which is prohibited in sport.

An independent tribunal imposed the suspension following a hearing. The prop maintained that the medication had been prescribed by a medical professional.

The 2019 World Cup-winning fly-half was handed a four-year ban after testing positive for clenbuterol.

His suspension is reported to run until 2028, ruling him out of next year’s tournament.

The Georgian hooker received a six-year suspension for anti-doping violations involving substituted urine samples.

World Rugby’s published findings confirm his ban runs until August 23, 2029, covering the entire tournament.

Georgia’s former captain received an 11-year suspension for violations involving supplying urine to teammates for testing.

His sanction runs until June 17, 2035, following World Rugby’s investigation into historical urine-sample substitution. Sharikadze had already retired from international rugby.

Halupe received a four-year suspension in a case involving the prohibited substance GW1516.

His sanction, listed in World Rugby’s current anti-doping cases, also covers the 2027 tournament.

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