Two Springboks BANNED from the 2027 Rugby World Cup

Two South African rugby players have been banned and will miss the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Springboks tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye received an 18-month ban in May 2025 after testing positive for Anastrozole, keeping him out of rugby until November 2027, while Luke van der Smit, who plays for Hong Kong China, faces a potential four-year ban after failing a drugs test following their World Cup qualification victory. Both bans stem from anti-doping rule violations, dealing a blow to South Africa's hopes of defending their Rugby World Cup title.