“Springbok Elton Jantjies Receives 4-Year Suspension for Doping in Rugby”

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"Springbok Elton Jantjies Receives 4-Year Suspension for Doping in Rugby"

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Elton Jantjies has received a lengthy ban from rugby after the veteran Springbok flyhalf was suspended for the use of banned substance Clenbuterol. In August, Jantjies admitted to the June test results reported to the SA Institute of Drug Free Sport (Saids), who announced on Thursday a four-year suspension for the troubled player on its official website.

Clenbuterol is a fat-burning and asthma medication which also enhances stamina, and in a statement released by Jantjies, the 33-year-old denied knowingly taking the substance, and vowed to prove his innocence.

But, the notes on Saids’ decision added: “A written decision was issued in terms of Article 8.3 of the Saids Anti-Doping Rules 2021 because the Athlete did not exercise his/her right to have their case heard before an Independent Doping Hearing Panel [IDHP].” Saids CEO Khalid Galant also confirmed that the window for any potential appeal from Jantjies had now lapsed.

A statement released by Jantjies’ representatives reads: “Elton would prefer not to engage with the media and his legal team are working on the case appeal. Yes he is aware of the sanction.” A World Cup winner, the 46-Test Jantjies has been a fixture in Bok squads for the past six years, and was called up for the Rugby Championship as injury cover, but was released before head coach Jacques Nienaber announced the 33-man contingent to defend the Webb Ellis Cup at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The seasoned playmaker is no stranger to controversy, after he was sent home while the Boks were in Argentina to face Los Pumas in 2022 following headline coverage of an alleged affair with team dietician Zeenat Simjee.