Former Springbok opener Elton Jantjies suspended for four years for doping

By the editorial staff

Published 14 minutes ago, Updated now

Elton Jantjies during his presentation in Agen. Thierry Breton / Panoramic

The 2019 world champion flyhalf, who passed through Agen last season, admitted this summer to having tested positive for clenbuterol.

South African flyhalf Elton Jantjies has been handed a four-year ban after testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol. The Springbok world champion in 2019 (46 caps) admitted this summer to having tested positive but denied having ingested this banned substance intentionally. Clenbuterol is a beta-stimulant that is used to stimulate lung function and also has anabolic effects. Jantjies had worn the colors of Pau in Top 14 (ready in 2021) and Agen in Pro D2 last season.

This heavy suspension should end his career. The 33-year-old was part of South Africa’s squad ahead of the last Rugby World Cup in France, but was left out of the final 33-man squad after a series of off-field issues left him go down in the hierarchy of number 10, behind Handré Pollard and Manie Libbok. Jantjies had been accused of having an extramarital affair with the South African team’s dietician, Zeenat Simjee.

“Do everything in my power to prove my innocence”

This summer, the South African fly-half, who played for the Lions and the Stormers in Super Rugby, declared: “At this point I cannot say more, but I want to assure all my supporters that I have never taken and will never take any banned substance. I will do everything in my power to prove my innocence.”

Former Springbok winger Aphiwe Dyantyi made his return to the world of professional rugby in June after a four-year suspension following a failed doping test in December 2019. He signed with the Sharks, the Durban-based franchise.

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