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Bok hooker explains how he believes growth hormones found their way into his system
Springboks and Sharks hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle has finally revealed the name of the substance found in his system.
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Reports surfaced last week that the Sharks front row forward failed a random drugs test in January, undertaken by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) at Kings Park.
SAIDS have yet to make the name of the substance public.
Speaking on the Marawa Sports Worldwide radio show on Tuesday, the 32-year-old Ralepelle admitted he had tested positive for Zenarol.
“I tested positive for a substance called Zenarol, which is a growth hormone commonly found in meat in January this year and not a steroid like many have reported recently,” Ralepelle revealed on the radio show.
This is the third time the Sharks hooker failed a drug test. In 2010 he tested positive for methylhexanamine, however, was absolved from any wrongdoing while in 2014 he was banned for two years for an anabolic steroid drostanolone – while playing for Toulouse.
“After the incident in 2014, I had to adjust my diet. Meat is something that I tried to cut out of my diet,” Ralepelle explained.
“The Sharks have come out and said they are willing to support me as far as they are able to,” he added.
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“Once you know you’re not guilty of anything, you’re at peace with yourself. I know I did not take anything to the detriment of my career. I got offered a three-year contract at the Sharks and I asked for a six-month contract because I have other plans,”
According to various South African media reports, the 32-year-old’s A-sample urine tested positive, but he has a right to ask that his B-sample be tested.
Ralepelle is yet to play for the Sharks this season.
