File: Chiliboy Ralepelle of the Sharks during the 2018 Super Rugby match between the Stormers and the Sharks at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town on 7 July 2018.

JOHANNESBURG - Springbok and Sharks hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle’s career hangs in the balance after his B-sample tested positive for a banned substance called Zeranol, confirmed the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids).

Having already served a two-year ban in 2015 for a similar offence while playing for Toulouse in France, Ralepelle’s recent doping scandal is the third of his career, after he also tested positive for a banned substance while on tour with the Springboks in 2010.

In an interview with eNCA recently Ralepelle pleaded his innocence and revealed that he would be launching an investigation into the matter after his A-sample had tested positive during a random pre-season testing conducted by Saids in January.  

Springbok and Sharks hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle is fighting for his rugby career after testing positive for a banned substance.

“The B-sample result of Sharks rugby player, Mahlatse Chilliboy Ralepelle, confirmed the presence of the banned substance, Zeranol.  

"During the sample collection process, the athlete divides his sample into an A-sample container (60ml) and a B-sample container (30ml) and seals both containers.

The B-sample container, therefore, contains the same urine as the A-sample container,” Saids said in a statement.

The 32-year-old Ralepelle runs the risk of being given a lifetime ban if he pleads guilty or contests the results and loses out in an independent tribunal panel which will adjudicate the matter. 

Ralepelle has confirmed that he will be appealing the matter but said he could not comment any further as this was now a legal matter. 

“The athlete now has the option of accepting the result and offering a guilty plea, where after a reasoned decision will be issued explaining the doping sanction.

“The athlete may also submit a plea for consideration of a reduced sanction by providing mitigating circumstances. Should the athlete opt to contest the sample result, a hearing of an independent tribunal panel will be convened to adjudicate over the proceeding and hand down a decision.” 

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