Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies tests positive for banned substance

Elton Jantjies, on the cusp of selection for the Springboks' World Cup team earlier this month, has tested positive for the prohibited substance Clenbuterol and now faces potential suspension. 

Clenbuterol, a substance favoured by bodybuilders for its fat-burning prowess, also offers relief for asthma sufferers. As a bronchodilator, it widens the airways, gifting athletes with a boost in stamina.

According to Jantjies' statement, as published by as revealed by the SuperSport website, he was told of the positive test from a urine sample he had furnished to the SA Institute of Drug Free Sport during the month of June.

"It with no small amount of shock and sadness that I have to inform you that I received notification earlier this month, from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, that a urine sample that I had provided to them in June 2023, returned a positive test for a banned substance, Clenbuterol," his statement reads.

"I have instructed legal representation to assist me in determining the source of the prohibited substance and I have instructed them to ask for my B Sample to be tested and to launch an inquiry into the possible causes for the positive test."

Jantjies' wife, Iva Ristic, told News24 they were both "shocked" to hear that he tested positive for Clenbuterol when landing back in the country in June.

Jantjis had been in Turkey for two months with his family before returning to Johannesburg, she said. 

"He wasn't doing any steroids in Turkey. He has hectic Sinusitis and was using a spray to release the tension he was feeling in the nose. Only after the news came out this week did we discover that the Clenbuterol found his drug test was the same substance in the nasal spray he had used when he landed," said