Report on Springboks doping tests raises questions over WC wins’

Worrying revelations.

As stated in their article, the country is the worst offender in terms of doping violations, with 20% of convicted rugby dopers from 2019 to 2023 coming from South Africa.

However, in the last ten years - during which the Springboks won back-to-back World Cups in 2019 and 2023 - their drug testing has decreased 'sixfold'.

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One of the most high-profile South African doping cases was 2018 World Breakthrough Player of the Year Aphiwe Dyantyi, who was banned for four years in 2019, just prior to the World Cup.

S‘busiso Nkosi and Elton Jantjies, who both featured at the 2019 World Cup, were banned in 2024 for three and four years.

Closer to home, there was controversy after Munster signed lock Gerbrandt Grobler in 2017, who had been suspended in 2015 for using steroids.

In response to the Telegraph's article, South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus said: “I want to answer that so you don’t think I am running away from a question [but] I haven’t seen the data or the publication of the actual facts. I would not know how much they test and I wouldn’t be able to comment on any of that.”

A World Rugby spokesperson said: “South African players, alongside many other nations, will be in our testing pool so we test them all year round, including out of competition. Our out-of-competition testing includes home visits.

“Players will also be tested by us at Rugby World Cup, European Professional Club Rugby competitions if they play in them and as part of [what was] the autumn international series.

“Lab issues in South Africa have occurred before, and where we face those issues in that country or any other, samples are shipped overseas, which is established and acceptable, provided shipment follows Wada guidelines.”