Prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye will have his doping hearing later this month, but the strong scummager remains part of the Springboks conversation ahead of the new international season.
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Although a potential ban is hanging over the head of Lions tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye ahead of his doping hearing, his brilliant form for the Johannesburg side hasn’t gone unnoticed, and that’s the reason why he is still in the Springboks’ 2027 Rugby World Cup plans.
While Bok scrum guru Daan Human didn’t want to venture into the upcoming hearing of the burly prop, he hopes Ntlabakanye gets it ‘out of the way quickly’ so that he will be at the disposal of the world champions ahead of the new season.
Ntlabakanye is part of a 49-man group currently attending the first national alignment camp in Cape Town this week as the Boks start to put the blocks in place for a tough 2026 season that includes 13 Tests and a warm-up against the Barbarians in June.
The Lions tighthead is set to have his hearing soon and should learn his fate, but according to Human, for now, he stays in the Boks’ season plans as they continue their build-up to the tournament in Australia next year.
“He’s been invited to the camp because he is playing really good rugby at the moment,” Human said about the prop.
“I don’t want to get into the disciplinary hearing, but rather keep the focus on the camp and players invited. Hopefully, he will overcome that issue and be available to us as soon as possible. We can’t have enough props. The way we want to play and be dominant, we need them.
“However, I can really see the improvement in Asenathi. I had a chat with him the other day, hopefully we can keep him fit and ready (for the season).”
Human also touched on the versatility of Stormers youngster Zachary Porthen and the important role he can play. More recently, because there must be three front rowers on the bench, teams have moved away from having swinging props.
Trevor Nyakane and Thomas du Toit used to be those cogs in the Bok machine, but Du Toit settled as one of the top tightheads for the Springboks last season, while Nyakane did not receive an invitation to the latest camp. His time with the Boks looks to be at an end.
Porthen scrummed on both sides for the world champions last season and could be another swinging prop, according to Human.
“He’s played on both sides (of the scrum) for us. It’s about how you build things around him to make that happen. We were in need (against Wales) for him to do it. He’s done well so far, which I’m very grateful for. He just needs to get on the field (at the Stormers).”
On double World Cup winner, tighthead Frans Malherbe, who has been sidelined with a back injury, Human added that he can still contribute massively.
“He’s got a lot to offer, I can promise you that. Frans has been resting and dealing with injury, but last year, other guys like Thomas and Wilco (Louw) stepped up and grabbed their opportunities. That’s how you build and grow depth.”