He had not been called up for the 2023 World Cup in France, and he will perhaps never return to a rugby field. Elton Jantjies has been suspended for four years, the South African Anti-Doping Agency (SAIDS) announced on Thursday. The 33-year-old South African flyhalf, 2019 world champion, tested positive last August for clenbuterol.
Used in the treatment of asthma, this product has the property of dilating blood vessels and improving oxygenation, making it possible to increase an athlete’s endurance. It is also used by some bodybuilders to lose weight.
A firm and definitive sanction
The deadline for appeals has expired, SAIDS boss Khalit Galan told South African media. The sanction is therefore firm and definitive.
The fly-half with 46 caps with the Springboks has notably played in two French clubs during his career, in Pau (2021) and Agen (2022-2023), in Pro D2.