Springbok Coach Jacques Nienaber Stunned by Allegations as SARU Refutes These Claims

• The Springboks have been distracted by explosive off-field allegations that have taken a toll on the squad and management
• Following the report that there was drug use among the players, coach Jacques Nienaber has given his thoughts on the matter
• The South African Rugby Union has also issued a statement to quell the controversy surrounding the organisation

Fresh from a crucial Rugby Championship victory over Argentina last night, Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber has addressed a pressing matter.

Following a report that several players had allegedly tested positive for cocaine use, Nienaber was forthright about the distracting nature of the allegations.

According to IOL, he said:

“From my side, it was quite disturbing, especially the timing of it, five hours before a big Test match like this and it’s a semi-final...I’m stunned. I’m literally stunned that allegations like that can be made about this team because again we are tested as any other team is tested regularly, sometimes three times a week in South Africa.

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“There hasn’t been one positive case since we’ve been together all this year. So it's disappointing.”

Meanwhile, the South African Rugby Union issued a statement that read:

“SA Rugby is aware that unsubstantiated allegations of failed tests for recreational drugs by Springbok players are circulating among members of the media. Disappointingly, these allegations have already appeared online despite the absence of any evidence to support them.

“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.

“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 today’s Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

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“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.”

Explosive allegations of Springboks involved in drug abuse reported as SARU moves to block story

It never seems to rain but pour for the Springboks.

Amid the furore of the alleged affair between disgraced flyhalf Elton Jantjies and team dietician Zeenat Simjee, another scandal has been associated with the team, Sports Brief reported.

The South African Rugby Magazine ran an explosive article stating that Rapport would publish a story today in which cocaine use was prevalent among some players. It also stated that the South African Rugby Union is seeking a legal interdict to stop the story from being published.