SOUTH AFRICA internationals Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson have been cleared to play on after a judicial hearing found they were not to blame for returning positive drug tests.
The pair were charged and provisionally suspended after they tested positive for the banned stimulant Methylhexamine (MHA) following South Africa’s Test against Ireland on November 6th.
The Springboks launched an immediate investigation into the source of the stimulant, fearing at the time it may have been contained in supplements or sports drinks given to the squad.
During the hearing in Cape Town it was confirmed that MHA was contained in supplements provided to the Springboks team in the warm-up before the game. Ralepelle and Basson were just the unfortunate players to be tested after South Africa’s 23-21 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
The three-man disciplinary panel exonerated both players of any wrongdoing and admonished the South African Rugby Union (SARU) for not having the supplements fully tested.
“This verdict completely quashes any idea that either the players or the team were guilty of any attempt to cheat. No responsibility attaches to the players at all,” chief executive Jurie Roux said.
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