The institutionalization of doping in South African rugby

[Rugbyfan564]

I would like to think if individual unions had compelling evidence to prove the SA international team were doping. They would provide it to world rugby. I'd assume the NZRFU would be all over it

As far as I'm aware World Rugby are responsible for testing at international level. Someone far better than me will know what the testing process is for international games and world cups.

Surely World Rugby use WADA. Players cross between 15 and 7 to go to the Olympics

 

[Saintjay]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-u...-south-african-rugby-drug-testing-in-decline/

Drugs tests on rugby players in South Africa have plunged more than sixfold in the last decade, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

The significant drop in testing has coincided with the Springboks becoming the most dominant force in Test rugby, winning back-to-back World Cups in 2019 and 2023.

South Africa is the nation with the highest number of convicted dopers in rugby with 89 violations in that time, which is around 20 per cent of the entire total worldwide.

Those caught up in drug scandals include 2019 World Cup winners S‘busiso Nkosi and Elton Jantjies, who were banned in 2024 for three and four years, respectively.

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According to figures published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), the number of tests carried out within rugby by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) fell from 785 in 2015 to just 127 in 2024

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On the eve of the 2023 tournament, it emerged that Jantjies had failed a drugs test days after being recalled to South Africa’s squad for that year’s Rugby Championship. He contested the failed test, just as Dyantyi did, and was also ultimately banned for four years.

So who does the drug testing at international and at world cups? Is it different for England, Ireland and SA.

It speaks poorly of the likes of Felix Jones, Neinabar and Jerry Flannery if they are happy to tolerate SA doping at international level and ignore it. Or anyone else tied up to SA rugby for that matter.

Got to ask who else do they ignore it for?

 

[AlRums]

It's difficult to refute.

List of South African international players who tested positive for anabolic steroids.

Kai Pratt - Asenathi Ntlabakanye - Elton Jantjies - S'Busiso Nkosi - Bjorn Basson - Chiliboy Ralepelle ! It's more than obvious that South African internationals dope to win! You want more proof? I have all the time in the world. Elton Jantjies won the World Cup in 2019 with South Africa while doped.

Congratulations, you've shredded your own arguement.

 

[AlRums]

Case Closed! Ban South Africa from the next world cup so the irish can at least make the semis.

Ftfy

 

[AlRums]

I’m more concerned that Scotlands best players were born and bred in South Africa.

Ahem.

https://www.keithprowse.co.uk/news-...rugby rivalry between,Pollard - to name a few.

 

[Demfad]

So who does the drug testing at international and at world cups? Is it different for England, Ireland and SA.

It speaks poorly of the likes of Felix Jones, Neinabar and Jerry Flannery if they are happy to tolerate SA doping at international level and ignore it. Or anyone else tied up to SA rugby for that matter.

Got to ask who else do they ignore it for?

Kenyan athletics is riddled with drugs. Now drug testing in endurance events is relatively comprehensive. But only the really stupid ones get caught.
That's why bans/fines were placed directly to Kenyan athletics because their cooperation is needed.
Similarly there needs to be an effective testing policy in South Africa. Not sure why you would target those sub coaches when Erasmus would have significant power to do something. Does that (pre 2019 RWC) photo like right to you?

 

[Saintjay]

Kenyan athletics is riddled with drugs. Now drug testing in endurance events is relatively comprehensive. But only the really stupid ones get caught.
That's why bans/fines were placed directly to Kenyan athletics because their cooperation is needed.
Similarly there needs to be an effective testing policy in South Africa. Not sure why you would target those sub coaches when Erasmus would have significant power to do something. Does that (pre 2019 RWC) photo like right to you?

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Those sub-coaches from other countries would also have significant power to say something as well.

I'm absolutely amazed there is no drugs testing at international and rugby world cup level.

You can guarantee if the Boks are doing it others are as well.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Kriel in that photo always makes me laugh - no athlete has ever looked more on juice than he is there

 

[Demfad]

Those sub-coaches from other countries would also have significant power to say something as well.

I'm absolutely amazed there is no drugs testing at international and rugby world cup level.

You can guarantee if the Boks are doing it others are as well.

There is drug testing at tournaments I'm sure, but like Kenya in Athletics, the drug taking strategy would plan not to be caught in tournament. Out of tournament its down to SA, who barely test.

 

[Saintjay]

There is drug testing at tournaments I'm sure, but like Kenya in Athletics, the drug taking strategy would plan not to be caught in tournament. Out of tournament its down to SA, who barely test.

Would that include testing players overseas in Japan, England etc.

Snyman and Pollard etc must be laughing. There clubs should do something about it.

 

[Demfad]

Kriel in that photo always makes me laugh - no athlete has ever looked more on juice than he is there

One from that photo was done (at least). Can you pick him out by visual inspection? (just say row and position)

 

[Saintjay]

One from that photo was done (at least). Can you pick him out by visual inspection? (just say row and position)

Eben and Snyman definitely

Having looked at a list of rugby top 10 rigs, Halfpenny, Porter, Haskell and Parisse could all be on the gear at some point.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

to act like doping is specific to one team is laughable. Some teams may be better at it. For what it’s worth, I don’t think rugby has institutional doping like athletics or cycling but rather clubs and unions just turn a blind eye. As long as you can pass a test they won’t say anything.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Eben and Snyman definitely

Having looked at a list of rugby top 10 rigs, Halfpenny, Porter, Haskell and Parisse could all be on the gear at some point.

Rumours back when I was in school were rife about a couple lads who are now internationals (won't name anyone because there was absolutely zero proof). Could be borne out of jealousy at that age but it's the best time to get away with it* - testing was virtually non-existent and kids at that age develop at all sorts of rates so you'd be given a lot of leeway before raising suspicions of coaches.

I reckon plenty of guys from every country have done it prior to turning pro, at lower professional/semi-professional levels in the early stages of their career and during longer injury layoffs.

Except for South Africans - instagram comments reliably informs me that a single braii once in your life is more effective than any PED cycle.

*phrased very purposefully as it's probably the worst time to put anything that affects hormones into your body - nevermind how much of a thoughtless idiot the average 16-18 year old rugby prospect is.

 

[Saintjay]

Rumours back when I was in school were rife about a couple lads who are now internationals (won't name anyone because there was absolutely zero proof). Could be borne out of jealousy at that age but it's the best time to get away with it* - testing was virtually non-existent and kids at that age develop at all sorts of rates so you'd be given a lot of leeway before raising suspicions of coaches.

I reckon plenty of guys from every country have done it prior to turning pro, at lower professional/semi-professional levels in the early stages of their career and during longer injury layoffs.

Except for South Africans - instagram comments reliably informs me that a single braii once in your life is more effective than any PED cycle.

*phrased very purposefully as it's probably the worst time to put anything that affects hormones into your body - nevermind how much of a thoughtless idiot the average 16-18 year old rugby prospect is.

Knew at least one player in the Champ who was, and was pretty open that others were.

Also on from a reasonable authority it went on in the Prem. Certainly a few years back especially when players were off with a long term injury. Players were coming back looking like peak Mr Universe Arnie.

You ain't looking like that from genetics and eating kale.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

As long as you can pass a test they won’t say anything.

That's all it is, really
In MMA they always say PED tests are an intelligence test more than a blood/urine test

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

a podcast listen to (real science of sport) goes into the science of doping a lot. They mostly talk about it in endurance sport but they are fairly confident that 1. No one has a drug that others don’t 2. Coaches and trainers are ahead of drug testers 3. Testing is prohibitively expensive so sports don’t have that much of an incentive to have widespread implementation.

 

[Demfad]

Eben and Snyman definitely

Having looked at a list of rugby top 10 rigs, Halfpenny, Porter, Haskell and Parisse could all be on the gear at some point.

Jantzies to the front and right of DeKlerk was busted. Reinach looking dodgy also. Snyman looks normal TBH

 

[Saintjay]

Jantzies to the front and right of DeKlerk was busted. Reinach looking dodgy also. Snyman looks normal TBH

That's because he was at Saints between 2017 - 2020. Guessing the Prem and the RFU didn't test pro's then.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Reinach is 5"9. Elite athlete. I don't think that pic could raise any major suspicion on him - he's not crazy lean like Kriel.

 

[ChicagoKid]

Some of you have never been around elite genetics.

Come spend time at football schools in the south.

 

[rN_X]

bro has left the tinfoil hat and is now wearing the full tinfoil suit.

 

[ChicagoKid]

Kriel in that photo always makes me laugh - no athlete has ever looked more on juice than he is there

Here are two NFL players at 22. Both taller and heavier than Kriel. NFL tests every single week. First offense is 8 weeks and half your salary. Colleges test throughout the entire year.

I could post one NFL player a day with a similar physique until we both die of old age.

 

[Saintjay]

They look great, but they'll never be Tom Brady's highly funny combine great. Abs don't give you talent.

 

[ChicagoKid]

They look great, but they'll never be Tom Brady's highly funny combine great. Abs don't give you talent.

View attachment 26292

The two players I posted above -- AJ Brown & DK Metcalf -- have made a combined $200 million in their young careers. They will likely make another $100 million apiece before they retire.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The two players I posted above -- AJ Brown & DK Metcalf -- have made a combined $200 million in their young careers. They will likely make another $100 million apiece before they retire.

I could post one NFL player a day with a similar physique until we both die of old age.

Yeah but no-one asked you to and no-one cares, so I wouldn't bother

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Come spend time at football schools in the south.

I can think of at least 4 better holidays off the top of my head.

 

[Ddanno]

You couldn't make me visit the US if you fired me out of a ******* cannon

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Kriel in that photo always makes me laugh - no athlete has ever looked more on juice than he is there

View attachment 26291

Here are two NFL players at 22. Both taller and heavier than Kriel. NFL tests every single week. First offense is 8 weeks and half your salary. Colleges test throughout the entire year.

I could post one NFL player a day with a similar physique until we both die of old age.

But they arnt rugby players and don’t have the physical demand that rugby players have. They train different and can afford to carry more muscle and look more jacked.

Comparing NFL athletes to rugby players is as stupid as can be.

The sports are not similar for demand across the board.

 

[ChicagoKid]

I can think of at least 4 better holidays off the top of my head.

You couldn't make me visit the US if you fired me out of a ******* cannon

Charleston is calling.