Jantjies banned for four years

Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies has been handed a four year ban after testing positive for a prohibited substance.

The SA Institute of Drug Free Sport released the findings on Thursday on their website where they confirmed that Jantjies had been found guilty of using Clenbuterol after a random drug test taken on 20 June 2023.

Clenbuterol is a substance best known for helping weight loss, which bodybuilders often use to cut weight and increase muscle mass.

Jantjies, who was part of the World Cup-winning Springbok team of 2019, last played for the Springboks in 2022 after he was withdrawn from the group after allegations of improper behaviour with a management member surfaced.

He was included in the Springboks training squad in 2023 as cover for flyhalf, but never played for the Springboks and failed to make the 2023 World Cup squad.

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sports have announced that Elton Jantjies has been banned from rugby for the next four years. pic.twitter.com/0kqvGf8kAc

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 18, 2024

SAIDS said on their website that the player had not requested a hearing, as normally happens when a player wants to dispute a test result and that the window had passed for an appeal to be lodged.

“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 said on its website.

With that in mind it seems it is the end of the 33-year old’s career, which has been in limbo since 2022 in any case.

After failing to find a club locally he joined French ProD2 side Agen but was later released when the positive test emerged.

Jantjies played 46 times for the Springboks as well as 129 times for the Emirates Lions and 13 times for the DHL Stormers.

He also represented Japanese club Shining Arcs and Red Hurricanes Osaka as well as French side Pau on loan.

When the positive test was made public, Jantjies released a statement at the time saying he was shocked and denied the allegation.

Jantjies said in his statement that he was informed of a positive test that was provided to the SA Institute of Drug Free Sport in June.

“It with no small amount of shock and sadness that I have to inform you that I received notification earlier this month, from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, that a urine sample that I had provided to them in June 2023, returned a positive test for a banned substance, Clenbuterol,” his statement reads.

“I have instructed legal representation to assist me in determining the source of the prohibited substance and I have instructed them to ask for my B Sample to be tested and to launch an inquiry into the possible causes for the positive test.”

Jantjies denied he deliberately took the banned substance and vowed to fight to protest his innocence.

“At this stage I can say little more about the matter, save that I assure all my supporters that I have not and never will deliberately take a banned substance, and that I will do everything in my power to prove my innocence.

“This is another set-back in what has been a very volatile time for me, but I shall overcome this with the support of my family and friends. I know that there will be those out there who doubt my innocence, but I hope to prove you wrong, in due course. For those who support me, thank you.”