Durban - A Sharks Under-21 player made a brief court appearance this week for the alleged kidnapping and rape of a 19-year-old woman.
The player allegedly spiked the woman’s drink with the date-rape drug, Rohypnol, at a Durban nightclub.
He then took her to his Glenwood residence and allegedly raped her.
When the woman eventually came to her senses the next morning, apparently she was naked and lying next to the rugby player.
The names of both the accused and the alleged victim are known to the Sunday Tribune but cannot be published because the charges relate to a sexual offence.
The 21-year-old man, who played for the Sharks Under 21 team and has been doing pre-season duty with the team, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
State prosecutor Rakesh Chitradow told the court he had been “instructed” not to oppose bail.
The player was granted R2 000 bail and asked not to have any interactions with witnesses.
He was represented by attorney Roy Singh, who refused to comment when approached by the Sunday Tribune.
SAPS spokesman Major Thulani Zwane confirmed the arrest of the player and his appearance in court.
Zwane said: “The matter was remanded for further investigation.”
Sharks media spokesperson Novashni Chetty said her organisation was aware of the charges against the player.
In her e-mailed statement, Chetty wrote: “The individual in question is not a contracted player; nor is he a registered student at our academy.
“We don’t have any further information to be able to comment at this stage.