By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-18 16:37:28
Rugby player Elton Jantjies has been handed a four-year suspension after he tested positive for a banned substance, as announced by the South African anti-doping body on Thursday. The 33-year-old Jantjies had previously stated in August that he had tested positive for Clenbuterol, a substance known for its fat-burning properties, and was determined to prove his innocence. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) confirmed on its website that Jantjies has been suspended, potentially marking the end of his career.
Jantjies, who plays as a flyhalf, was a part of the team that secured a second Rugby World Cup victory for the South African national team, also known as the Springboks, in Japan in 2019. The team successfully defended their title in France the following year. Although Jantjies was included in South Africa’s extended training squad leading up to the 2023 World Cup, he ultimately did not make the final squad.
SAIDS revealed that Jantjies tested positive for Clenbuterol in June of the previous year and that no hearing had been conducted in relation to the matter. Jantjies’ most recent club prior to the suspension was Agen in France.
The suspension of Jantjies, a key player in the South African rugby scene, comes as a significant blow to both him personally and to the teams he has been a part of. The incident also raises concerns about the use of performance-enhancing substances within the sport. The decision to suspend Jantjies for four years serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that athletes face when failing to adhere to anti-doping regulations.
The impact of this suspension extends beyond Jantjies’ individual career, affecting the teams and organizations with which he is affiliated. The rugby community will undoubtedly feel the absence of a player of Jantjies’ caliber, and his future in the sport remains uncertain following this significant setback.
