The South African winger, 2019 world champion, has just been suspended due to a positive test for an anabolic steroid, his club the Cheetahs announced on Monday.
South Africa winger Sibusiso Nkosi, the 2019 world champion, has been banned for three years by World Rugby after testing positive for an anabolic steroid, his club the Cheetahs announced on Monday.
“Sbu was tested by World Rugby in May and his A sample was positive. He was suspended for three years.”an official from the Bloemfontein club told AFP anonymously.
The sample found traces of an anabolic steroid used by bodybuilders and, according to South African media, the suspension will run until July 15, 2027.
The 28-year-old winger, who was understudy to Cheslin Kolbe at the World Cup in Japan, is the second member of the 2019 title-winning squad to be sanctioned for doping. Fly-half Elton Jantjies was banned for four years in January for using a banned substance.
Nkosi made 16 appearances for his country between 2018 and 2021, scoring nine tries. After playing for the Sharks and Bulls, he joined the Bloemfontein Cheetahs in March on a one-year deal.
The winger suffered from mental health issues while playing for the Bulls and went missing for several weeks in 2022, sparking a police search, before being found at a relative’s home.
