"Three South Africans" - World Rugby BANS put 10 players in danger of missing Rugby World Cup

Thursday, 23 July 2026 at 17:37

byCharlie Elliott

With the 2027 Rugby World Cup fast approaching, several players have already seen their hopes of featuring in Australia disappear.

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From anti-doping violations and lengthy disciplinary bans to cases that are still awaiting a verdict, we take a look at the internationals set to miss rugby's biggest tournament, and the stars whose World Cup dreams remain hanging in the balance.

Hong Kong China - Luke van der Smit

Hong Kong China, who will make their Rugby World Cup debut in 2027, have confirmed the dismissal of South African number eight Luke van der Smit after he failed a drugs test last year.

Born in Namibia and raised in South Africa, Van der Smit previously played for Western Province and Eastern Province. He came off the bench in Incheon to score Hong Kong China's 10th try as they secured qualification for the tournament.

Just 26 days after that historic victory, the Valley club number eight was suspended from all rugby activity on July 31 and now faces the prospect of a four-year ban, despite maintaining that he did not knowingly break any anti-doping rules.

South Africa - Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kai Pratt (Likely)

In May, Springboks tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye received an 18-month ban for an anti-doping rule violation.

The suspension keeps him out of rugby until November 2027, ending any realistic chance of appearing at the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The Lions prop tested positive for Anastrozole, a hormone and metabolic modulator, during 2025. The substance itself does not automatically carry a mandatory suspension.

The 27-year-old also voluntarily disclosed that he had taken Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a testosterone-boosting substance that can increase muscle growth and athletic performance and is listed as prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Meanwhile, it emerged a couple of weeks ago that Junior Springboks prop Kai Pratt tested positive for an anabolic steroid ahead of the SANZAAR U20 Rugby Championship.

According to News24, Pratt returned a positive result following a doping test carried out in Stellenbosch on 10 April.

South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport CEO Khalid Galant confirmed that the 18-year-old has requested analysis of his B-sample, with the disciplinary process still in its early stages.

“The athlete has received a notice of allegation that a substance was found in his system,” Galant told News24.

“It was an anabolic steroid and the athlete has requested a B-sample to be tested.

“A date still needs to be set for that process and the athlete hasn’t decided whether they’ll contest the allegation or the charge.

“No hearing has been set or decision has been rendered, and ban only comes into place when a player has been charged and has pleaded guilty.”

If he receives a lengthy suspension, Pratt is likely to miss the 2027 World Cup.

Samoa - Chris Vui (Ban ends just before)

Former Samoa captain Chris Vui has had his doping ban confirmed by World Rugby following an offence committed in August 2023.

The 33-year-old tested positive for elevated levels of 19-norandrosterone, a marker for the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone, during a test before the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The concentration was almost four times the permitted limit.

Vui went on to represent Samoa at the tournament before being suspended by World Rugby during the competition in September 2023. He has consistently denied knowingly taking a prohibited substance.

After joining Bristol Bears in 2017, Vui made more than 100 appearances for the club. He signed a contract extension in February 2022 that was due to keep him at Bristol until 2026.

Although his suspension is due to expire in July 2027, Vui is considered unlikely to return for Samoa, having been out of professional rugby for almost four years by that point.

Georgia - Merab Sharikadze, Giorgi Chkoidze, Otar Lashkhi (Likely), Mirian Modebadze (Likely), Lasha Khmaladze (Likely)

A doping scandal dating back to 2023 resurfaced earlier this year and has left several Georgian internationals unavailable ahead of the next Rugby World Cup.

Six Georgian players received lengthy bans, including one suspension lasting 11 years, after being found guilty of taking part in a urine-swapping scheme designed to cheat anti-doping tests in one of rugby's biggest corruption scandals.

Former captain Merab Sharikadze was handed an 11-year ban, Giorgi Chkoidze received six years, while Lasha Khmaladze, Otar Lashkhi and Miriani Modebadze were each suspended for three years. Lasha Lomidze was banned for nine months.

The three-year bans for Lashkhi, Modebadze and Khmaladze are due to end in June 2027, shortly before the World Cup. However, given the scale of the scandal, it appears unlikely any of them will be selected for Georgia again.

Khmaladze will also be 38 by the time his suspension ends, while the other two were not regular members of the national side.

Georgia team doctor Nutsa Shamatava was banned for nine years after being found to have warned players about upcoming out-of-competition drug tests through group chats.

Argentina - Tomas Albornoz (Possible)

Argentina fly-half Tomas Albornoz has been cited by World Rugby's disciplinary committee following his angry confrontation with referee Angus Gardner after last weekend's Nations Championship defeat to England.

Albornoz could face disciplinary action after approaching the referee at the final whistle following Argentina's 31-24 defeat in Santiago del Estero.

World Rugby regulations state that threatening behaviour or language towards a match official can result in bans ranging from 12 weeks for the lowest level of offence to 260 weeks for the most serious cases.

Verbal abuse of a match official carries potential suspensions ranging from six to 52 weeks.

A shorter suspension appears the most likely outcome, but if the incident is judged to be at the more serious end of the scale, there remains a possibility that Albornoz could miss the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

2027 World Cup Draw

Pool A

New Zealand
Australia
Chile
Hong Kong

Pool B

South Africa
Italy
Georgia
Romania

Pool C

Argentina
Fiji
Spain
Canada

Pool D

Ireland
Scotland
Uruguay
Portugal

Pool E

France
Japan
USA
Samoa

Pool F

England
Wales
Tonga
Zimbabwe

Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!