Dyantyi test results divide opinion

REACTION: In the wake of the Springboks' Aphiwe Dyantyi testing positive for anabolic steroids, there has been a clear split in opinion amongst fans.

After initially failing a drug test, the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year demanded his B-sample was tested, which confirmed the presence of banned substances metandienone, methyltestosterone and LGD-4033.

Despite the results, that has not stopped a huge number of fans on social media leaping to the 25-year-old’s defence. The wing missed the entire Rugby Championship with a hamstring injury, and some have suggested that some medication that he took may have caused him to fail the test. However, he failed his drug test with a sample taken before he sustained his injury.

Nonetheless, many feel that he still may not have knowingly taken steroids, and he has rather trusted the wrong people with his health. The 13-cap Springbok has passionately refuted taking steroids, and many clearly believe him, or at least believe that he is ignorant of ever taking them.

There have also been suggestions that this is a sabotage plot to ruin a promising player’s World Cup and further career. While this conspiracy theory has been held my a lot of people since the news was announced regarding the drugs test, it would be very hard to prove.

Ultimately, given what Dyanyti achieved last year in the game, many fans simply do not believe that he would jeopardize his career by taking such a huge risk.

This is what has been said:

On the other hand, there are those on Twitter that are not as sympathetic with the player. The primary reason is that it seems strange that a player could take three banned substances without knowing.

With regards to the attempts to sabotage his World Cup, it has been highlighted that Rassie Erasmus had already made it clear that Dyantyi was unlikely to make the World Cup, meaning there was not necessarily anything to sabotage.

This is what has been said:

While there is a split in opinion, the majority of fans seem to feel that Dyantyi would not have knowingly taken steroids. If the Lions wing still pleads innocence, there will be a hearing in four weeks where he will need to provide evidence. But if he is found guilty, he could face a minimum of four years out of the game, which would send shockwaves through the rugby world.

By Josh Raisey