Sharks confirm Dyantyi's imminent return

Springbok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi’s imminent return to rugby after serving a four year ban following a positive test for banned substances was confirmed by the Cell C Sharks on Tuesday.

Dyantyi, who was playing for the Emirates Lions the last time he played franchise rugby in South Africa, was banned from rugby in December 2019 after he tested positive for performance-enhancing substances in August of that year.

The Sharks aren’t completely sure of when the ban will come to an end, but as the positive test was conducted on 12 August, it can be assumed that will be the approximate date he will be up for selection.

With the next edition of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship only set to start in October, Dyantyi, who was confirmed as a Sharks signing when the Sharks put out a “Welcome to the Sharks family” post out on social media on Tuesday morning, will definitely be ready to go once the next season begins.

Dyantyi has been training with the Sharks for the best part of a year and it is hoped that the time he spent on the training field will ease his return and make it possible for him to regain the extraordinary form that made him the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2018.

Dyantyi had a brilliant introduction season to international rugby with the Springboks in 2018 and was the first choice wing until his failed dope test in the buildup to the successful 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign.

?? "More than anything, I'm just excited to be back and I just trust everyone around is as excited"

Aphiwe Dyantyi has a message for the Sharks family ????pic.twitter.com/xlK5ydmRjF

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 13, 2023