Springbok star charged with doping offence
Springbok rugby player, Aphiwe Dyantyi has been formally charged with a doping offence.
The 25-year-old's B-sample, tested at the World Anti-Doping Agency accredited lab at the University of the Free State, confirmed the A-sample results and the presence of prohibited substances - metandienone, methyltestosterone and LGD-4033.
"Dyantyi has now been formally charged with a doping offence for multiple anabolic steroids and metabolites. The charge has been communicated to SA Rugby Union, World Rugby and World Anti-doping Agency," said the SA Institute for Drug Free Sport in a statement released on its official website.
"If he disputes the charge and pleads not guilty, a hearing will be set down within the next four weeks and he will be required to provide evidence that can prove his innocence," said the institute.
"I have never cheated and never will. The presence of this prohibited substance in my body has come as a massive shock to me. My management team and experts appointed by them are doing everything possible to get to the source of this and to prove my innocence," he said at the time.
The 25-year-old burst onto the international scene last year.
He has scored five tries in 13 Test matches for the Springboks.
A hamstring injured has seen Dyantyi sidelined for several months and ruled him out of contention for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
"Dyantyi has now been formally charged with a doping offence for multiple anabolic steroids and metabolites. The charge has been communicated to SA Rugby Union, World Rugby and World Anti-doping Agency," said the SA Institute for Drug Free Sport in a statement released on its official website.
"The athlete has the option of admitting to the charge and accepting an appropriate sanction based on the World Anti-Doping Code’s framework. He may submit a plea for consideration of a reduced sanction by providing mitigating circumstances. A reasoned decision may then be issued explaining the sanction," continued the statement.
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The wing has the right to contest the charge before an independent tribunal panel."If he disputes the charge and pleads not guilty, a hearing will be set down within the next four weeks and he will be required to provide evidence that can prove his innocence," said the institute.
"The independent tribunal panel will then adjudicate over the proceedings and hand down a decision."
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Dyantyi previously denied taking any prohibited substance, intentionally or negligently to improve his performance on the field."I have never cheated and never will. The presence of this prohibited substance in my body has come as a massive shock to me. My management team and experts appointed by them are doing everything possible to get to the source of this and to prove my innocence," he said at the time.
The 25-year-old burst onto the international scene last year.
He has scored five tries in 13 Test matches for the Springboks.
A hamstring injured has seen Dyantyi sidelined for several months and ruled him out of contention for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
He was named the 2018 Rugby World Breakthrough Player of the Year.