Fiji Sun

Springboks wing fails drug test

- Leonec@fijisun.com.fj

Pretoria: Springbok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi’s participat­ion in this year’s Rugby World Cup is in doubt after he tested positive for a banned substance. Dyantyi, who has not featured for South Africa this season, has requested the testing of a ‘B’ sample after his urine sample, given on July 2 while attending a Bok training camp, returned positive for a substance on August 14 by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS). The 24-year-old won the World Rugby Breakthrou­gh Player of the Year award in 2018 and is unlikely to be selected in their World Cup squad.

Dyantyi’s agent, Gert van der Merwe, released a statement on Saturday denying any wrongdoing as the Bok finisher remains out with an injury.

“On Wednesday, 14 August 2019, I was notified by SAIDS that a urine sample that I had provided on 2 July 2019, during my attendance at the Springbok camp, had returned a positive result for a banned substance,” read the statement issued on behalf of Dyantyi.

“We have requested that my ‘B sample’ be tested and will have feedback during the course of the next couple of days.” He continued: “I would like to put the following on record; I want to deny ever taking any prohibited substance, intentiona­lly or negligentl­y to enhance my performanc­e on the field. I believe in hard work and fair play. I have never cheated and never will.”.- Planet Rugby Murrayfiel­d on Saturday. Les Bleus were the better team in the first half and were 14-10 ahead at the interval thanks to a pair of Damian Penaud tries.

Greig Laidlaw kicked a penalty in between those efforts from the wing before Sean Maitland crossed the whitewash to keep the hosts in the contest at the break. The Scots then controlled much of the second period and deservedly scored through Chris Harris to secure the win and get their World Cup preparatio­ns back on track.

It was a much improved effort from the Scots but there were still far too many errors, particular­ly in the opening half-hour. One such mistake allowed the visitors to get the ideal start as Penaud intercepte­d a stray pass and strolled across the whitewash unopposed.

Although Laidlaw immediatel­y reduced the arrears, the home side continued to struggle with ball in hand.

Their physicalit­y and intent may have been more to Gregor Townsend’s liking, but several knock-ons halted any momentum garnered.

The match was a warmu-up to the Rugby World Cup which starts in Japan, next month.

- Planet Rugby

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