ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

'Aphiwe can’t believe it. We were starting to get ready to play again' - Dyantyi banned for four years

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Tuesday Dec 15, 2020

South African winger Aphiwe Dyantyi has been handed a four-year ban from rugby following his failed drugs test in 2019, according to local reports in the country.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dyantyi, who was named World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year at the end of 2018 and had been tipped to play a major role in his side’s triumphant World Cup campaign the following, tested positive for three banned substances while in camp with the national team.

The substances were metandienone, methyltestosterone and LGD-4033, and while Dyantyi has always pleaded innocent to the charges of delibertately taking performance enhancing drugs, the 26 year-old was deemed to have not provided enough proof he had ingested them in error.

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport has therefore dished out the new entry-level suspension, implemented by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), of four years, meaning Dyantyi will not be eligible to play until just before his 29th birthday in 2023.

Dyantyi’s agent, Gert van der Merwe, said they were shocked by the outcome.

“The decision makes no sense. I still have to read the full decision. My legal team and I plan on analysing the decision next week and we will decide whether to appeal,” Van der Merwe said.

“I can’t give any details, since the case has not yet been finalised. If it were up to me, we would definitely appeal. The problem is that there are costs associated with it.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Aphiwe has not received a salary for the last 18 months (he is no longer contracted to the Lions) and we’re trying to see what we can do. I believe the decision is wrong. Aphiwe can’t believe it. We were starting to get ready to play again.”

The Dyantyi affair is the latest in another suspension for a South African player, with former Springbok hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle receiving an eight-year ban from the sport following his third failed test in 2019.

Ralepelle had his first failed test in 2009 rescinded after it was found that he and team-mate Björn Basson had ingested the drug methylhexamine accidentally due to a contaminated diet supplement before South Africa’s End-of-Year test with Ireland in Dublin.

Former Stormers, Munster and Gloucester lock Gerbrandt Grobler also caused controversy when he was banned for two years after testing positive for the anabolic steroid drostanalone after a Currie Cup match in 2014.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport’s current annual report, rugby is one of the most tested sports in the country, with 317 urine samples collected 2018/19, albeit just seven blood samples were tested in the same period.

There are currently 12 players in South Africa who are serving or due to serve a drugs ban, which compared to the United Kingdom (26), is far less.

In France, over 1000 urine samples were collected from rugby players in 2019, and 50 blood samples. On average, 1.2% of the urine samples returned positive tests while blood sample ratios were unavailable.

Dyantyi’s high-profile episode has renewed calls for increased testing in and out of competition within the rugby sphere, while the controversial issue of carrying out testing at under-age level also continues to polarise opinion.

Related Articles

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Bristol Bears break 20-year record with victory...

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    All Blacks star Jordie Barrett discusses...

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Gloucester's next 'Rees-Zammit' scores incredible...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

View All

Funnies

  • 13 HOURS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

View All

Amateur

  • 100 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 100 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 123 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 123 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 124 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 16 HOURS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

View All