The Blue Bulls have thrown their full weight behind embattled young lock Mthunzi "Fudge" Mabeta who could be facing a hearing after testing positive for dagga.
Blue Bulls business and communications manager Ian Schwartz said that the Blue Bulls Company will do everything in their power to ensure that Mabeta gets all the help that he needs legally and in rehabilitating the former Pretoria Boys' High School player.
Already the Blue Bulls Company have helped Mabeta acquire the services of top lawyer Gerrie Swart while Schwartz promised that the Bulls would stand by Mabeta.
Mabeta tested positive last month after the national under-21 semifinal against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld but Mabeta's fate will only be known and/or decided in December if a second sample is taken.
"We don't know much at the moment what is happening. We advised him accordingly and made sure that he has one of the best lawyers in Gerrie Swart. We totally back and support him and we promise to help him through this going forward. We will also help him with rehabilitation if this matters so requires and will continue to help him in future. We believe that he is an exceptionally talented player and person and has a great future ahead of him," Schwartz said.
This is the second time in a month that Mabeta has found himself in hot water after having a brush with the law a week after being tested when he was allegedly involved in an accident with a traffic police vehicle.
As a result Blue Bulls star wing John Mametsa is believed to have been involved in an argument with traffic officers during which an altercation ensued.
Mametsa, who was apparently coming to the aid of Mabeta and his girlfriend who is allegedly the daughter of police divisional commissioner (detective services) Raymond Lalla, was apparently assaulted. He was taken to Louis Pasteur hospital where he was kept under police guard while he received treatment.
If the wayward Mabeta's second test is also positive he will have to appear before a disciplinary committee but could be spared a heavy fine or sanction as dagga is not regarded as a performance enhancing drug.