Cape Town - A SA Rugby spokesperson confirmed to the Cape Argus that they have been advised by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) that two professional players failed dope tests.
It is believed that one of the players played Super Rugby for the Southern Kings earlier this year, however Saru and SAIDS cannot release the two names at this stage.
The players will likely be suspended and will be given the option of having a B-sample tested. If the B-sample also tests positive, the players have the right to contest the findings.
If they are found guilty of doping, the two players could face bans of between two and four years.
There have been quite a few doping cases in professional rugby in South Africa.
In 1997 then Golden Lions lock Johan Ackermann, who is now the coach of the Lions, was banned for two-years after testing positive for a banned substance.
In October 2000, former Western Province and Springbok prop Cobus Visagie failed a dope test after a Currie Cup match. At the tribunal in December of that year, he claimed the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone he tested positive for came from a supplement given to him by the South African Rugby Football Union. He was then cleared of any wrongdoing in April 2001.
On March 19, 2014, Chiliboy Ralepelle faced an out-of-competition drugs test, where he tested positive for anabolic steroid drostanolone. The hearing was set for mid-March 2015, but Ralepelle had his contract with French Toulouse cancelled and returned to South Africa.
He was eventually banned for two years, for a period April 10, 2014, to April 10, 2016, effective from the date that the player's initial provisional suspension came into effect. He returned to action this year for the Sharks.
Independent Media