Boks livid as drug allegations hit team
South Africa Rugby and the Springboks are livid as allegations of recreational drug use circle around the team.
Both were in strong denial as they were made aware that ‘‘unsubstantiated allegations of failed tests for recreational drugs by Springbok players are circulating among members of the media’’.
Specialist rugby website Sarugbymag claimed that SA Rugby had sought to quash a story from a South African publication that was set to publish a report on recreational drug use involving cocaine and positive tests in the Springboks camp.
The allegations came on the eve of the Springboks 36-20 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires at the weekend and saw players and management contacted for comment.
The Springboks have questioned the timing of that, suggesting it was aimed at disrupting team performance.
‘‘SA Rugby has consistently advised all inquiring media that no such reports have been received by SA Rugby or any player from the only authority permitted to perform such tests, the South African Institute for Drug-free Sport. SA Rugby does not conduct its own tests,’’ a statement from South Africa Rugby said.
‘‘Despite the absence of any such reports, players and management in Argentina have been contacted to ‘tell their story’, distracting and destabilising the entire camp in the build-up to today’s test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
‘‘SA Rugby wishes to repeat that it has no evidence of any adverse analytical findings for any kind of drug – be it performance enhancing or recreational – by Springbok players and regards the publication or the threat to publish such allegations as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the team’s preparations.’’
In the aftermath to South Africa’s impressive win that saw them go level with the All Blacks at the top of the tight Rugby Championship table, Boks coach Jacques Nienaber expressed dismay at the ‘‘strategic timing’’ of allegations
‘‘From my side it was quite disturbing, especially the timing of it – five hours before a test match which amounts to a semifinal,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m literally stunned that allegations of that nature can be made about this team. I do believe the timing was strategically planned, whoever did so.
‘‘It makes you wonder about [SA Rugby’s Springbok payoff line] #strongertogether, but it is what it is. There was nothing we could do about it. It’s a narrative that’s not
driven by us, all we can control is playing good rugby.’’
Nienaber said the testing systems for international rugby was so tight that players couldn’t take chances with illegal substances.