South Africa wing Aphiwe Dyantyi has denied any wrongdoing after testing positive for a banned substance. The 2018 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year produced the positive test during a Springboks training camp last month, but he has now released a statement insisting he is innocent of any wrongdoing as he has never taken any prohibited substances.
“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,” Dyantyi revealed. “I have never cheated and never will. The presence of this prohibited substance in my body has come as a massive shock to me and together with my management team and experts appointed by them, we are doing everything we can to get to the source of this and to prove my innocence.”
The 24-year-old says he produced the positive test on July 2, but he also underwent a separate test two weeks later that came back negative. “As a professional sportsman on national and international level, we get tested on a regular basis,” Dyantyi added.
“I have been tested before and again, since this test.” South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus is due to announce his final 31-man squad for the World Cup on Monday, but Dyantyi has already been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.
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