May 14 (Reuters) - South Africa prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been banned for 18 months due to an anti-doping rule violation, his Lions franchise confirmed on Thursday, ruling the player out of the 2027 Rugby World Cup barring a successful appeal.
The 27-year-old had declared using the banned substance Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) before routine testing in 2025, believing it was allowed, but has been banned by an Independent Doping Tribunal Panel.
