Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Springbok Elton Jantjies handed four year ban

(Photo by Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images)

South Africa fly-half Elton Jantjies has been banned for four years after testing positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol.

ADVERTISEMENT

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sports (SAIDS) made the announcement on their website on Thursday that there was a “Presence of Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Makers in an Athlete’s Sample.”

SAIDS also confirmed that a written decision was issued as Jantjies did not exercise his right to have his case heard before an Independent Doping Hearing Panel (IDHP).

Video Spacer

Finn Russell discusses THAT big tackle on Cameron Woki

Video Spacer

Finn Russell discusses THAT big tackle on Cameron Woki

A spokesperson for Jantjies issued a statement shortly after the ban was issued. The statement reads: “Elton would prefer not to engage with the media and his legal team are working on the case/appeal. Yes he is aware of the sanction.”

The 33-year-old tested positive for the substance in a sample provided to the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport in June last year. Clenbuterol is a fat-burning and asthma medication that also enhances stamina.

The 46-cap Springbok said that he was innocent in a statement released in August.

The statement said: “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.

“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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I will do everything in my power to prove my innocence.

“This is another setback in what has been a very volatile time for me.

“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.”

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

3 Comments
J
Jon 351 days ago

Too slow too uncreative to play 10 anyways. Move on tubby

j
jean 352 days ago

Yipeeeeee..
Liar liar pants on fire Jantjies..
He cheats he deals he wheels..
He never ever deserved that position..
He was a quota player,a product from the Anc's political interference in South African sports, and a below average one at it!
It is just a relieve to know for now his arrogant smug face won’t be seen in any form of rugby for years to come..Jantjies my boy, don’t even go home because the Cape aren’t empty without you..

J
Joseph 352 days ago

He’s never going to get out from under this one. It would be better all round if he just came clean and took responsibility for what he did, but that would be inconsistent with his behaviour following the other scandals he’s been involved in. Nobody in South Africa except perhaps his mother would want to see him playing in a Springbok jersey again……which was already the case before he got caught for doping.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

f
fl 8 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

on the article "Why defensive aggressor Felix Jones will drive new-look England" I said:


"Look at the kick:pass ratio from England’s games under Borthwick:

Italy 20:100

Argentina 50:100

South Africa 53:100

Fiji 24:100

Samoa 22:100

Chile 12:100

Japan 25:100

Argentina 55:100

Fiji 30:100

Ireland 21:100

Wales 24:100

Wales 13:100

Ireland 26:100

France 22:100

Wales 26:100

Italy 23:100

Scotland 18:100

The average is 27:100

The average in games we have won is 28:100

The average in games we have lost is 26:100, but these averages are skewed by the fact that we have tended to kick less and pass more against worse sides

The average in games where we have beaten current top 10 sides is 35:100

The average in games where we have beaten current top 8 sides is 39:100

The average in games where we have beaten current top 7 sides is 53:100

The average in games where we have lost to teams currently ranked lower than us is 20:100"


on the article "Four talking points after England's narrowest-ever win over Italy" I said:


"Look at the kick:pass ratio from England’s last 8 games

Italy 20:100

Argentina 50:100

South Africa 53:100

Fiji 24:100

Samoa 22:100

Chile 12:100

Japan 25:100

Argentina 55:100

So (1) England spread it wide more yesterday than against anyone bar Chile, and (2) all of england’s best performances have been when we kick loads, and in every match where we kick loads we have had a good performance."


"In particular you're neglecting the impact of the type of D Felix Jones was trying to introduce, which demanded most of England's training energy at the time."


I'm not, actually, I'm hyper aware of that fact and of its impact. I think it is because of the defence that England's new attack faltered so much for the first three games, something you ignore when you try to judge England's attack in the six nations by taking an average of either the trys scored or the rucks completed over the whole tournament.


"International coaches don't just pick those styles like sweets from a sweet shop!"

Yeah, I know. England's defence wasn't exactly the same as SA's, but it was similar. England's attack did rely on turnovers more than the Irish system did, but it was still pretty similar to it, and then shifted to something similar-but-not-identitcal to the Labit/Nick Evans systems, which are themselves similar but not identical.

109 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ The Fergus Burke test and rugby's free market The Fergus Burke test and rugby's free market
Search