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Hendre Stassen has made his comeback after a four-year doping ban

(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Hendre Stassen has become the latest South African rugby player to make his return to the professional game following a four-year ban for a failed doping test.

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The Stormers sent the utility forward into battle for the last 15 minutes of their Friday night URC loss at Cardiff, an appearance that was his first since the 2019 suspension he received while playing for Stade Francais in France.

Stassen was brought on by Stormers boss John Dobson in the 65th minute at the Arms Park to replace Willie Engelbrecht, his debut coming more than eight weeks after the Cape Town franchise confirmed a deal offering the now 25-year-old a route back into the pro ranks.

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The return of Stassen to the field came just weeks after the Sharks provided Aphiwe Dyantyi his path back into the sport after the expiry of his four-year ban for doping.

Whereas the then Springboks winger Dyantyi tested positive for multiple anabolic steroids, Stassen, the 2017 Junior Bok who was playing in France under former Springboks boss Heyneke Meyer after starting out at the Bulls, was banned for elevated testosterone levels.

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Despite that finding, Stassen maintained his innocence and after the Stormers confirmed two months ago that they were contracting him for the 2023/24 season, he said: “It has been great to connect with my new teammates in the pre-season.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity I have been given to represent the Stormers. I want to make the most of it and show my commitment to the team.”

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Head coach Dobson added at the time: “Hendre has shown a great attitude since joining us, he is a hard worker who is ready to give everything for the team.

“We are looking forward to seeing the impact he can make both in the second row and on the side of the scrum for us.”

Stassen’s return couldn’t prevent the Stormers from falling to their fourth successive defeat on their four-game European tour, Cardiff striking with a last-gasp converted try to clinch their 31-24 win.

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AM 11 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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