Louw likely to anchor Springboks' scrum against All Blacks as Ntlabakanye fights doping charge

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) says Asenathi Ntlabakanye is not currently serving a ban, and that it was SA Rugby’s decision to withdraw him from the Springboks’ Rugby Championship tour of New Zealand.

SA Rugby issued a press release on Monday stating that Ntlabakanye had been considered for the Springboks’ New Zealand tour, but returned an “adverse analytical finding” during a random anti-doping test conducted by SAIDS.

Ntlabakanye tested positive for a non-performance-enhancing substance, and will contest that he has committed an anti-doping violation.

The tighthead prop featured against the Wallabies in the opening Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park, having made his Bok debut earlier this year. He was left out of the second match in Cape Town and will also miss the crunch fixtures against the All Blacks in Auckland and Wellington.

“Ntlabakanye will not be considered for the forthcoming tour to New Zealand, to allow the player to concentrate on defending the case,” SA Rugby said.

However, SAIDS chief Khalid Galant clarified that Ntlabakanye could have toured with the Boks, as he has not been suspended.

“The non-selection of the athlete [player] for the New Zealand tour is a SARU decision,” Galant told rugby365.com.

He added that a hearing into the matter will be held soon.

The last high-profile South African sportsman to find himself on the wrong side of a drugs ban was Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada, who served a month’s suspension after testing positive for a recreational drug.

“The athlete’s legal counsel will complete his file with documentation outlining how the athlete will plead,” Galant added.

“The hearing will be held in front of an independent panel that will adjudicate the matter within the framework of the SA Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code.”

According to the SA Rugby statement, the non-performance-enhancing substance for which Ntlabakanye tested positive was prescribed by a specialist physician in early 2025 for medical reasons.

It was taken with the approval and under the supervision of a medical doctor specifically appointed to manage the medical affairs of professional rugby players.

“Ntlabakanye was transparent in his declarations, acted in good faith, and at all times followed the medical due process as prescribed by the industry,” the statement reads.

“He relied on the relevant professional medical advice and at no time did he seek to obtain an unfair advantage, nor did he take any medical substance without prior medical authorisation.”

The Springboks will travel to New Zealand with three tighthead options: the versatile Thomas du Toit, double World Cup winner Vincent Koch, and the powerful Wilco Louw.

Louw is likely to start at Eden Park against the All Blacks, with regular starter Frans Malherbe still sidelined after suffering a back injury in April.