Kruger 'B' sample also positiveDate: 05.03.2003
Posted by: Anabolic Info Team South Africa
Sharks’ flyhalf Herkie Kruger, who tested positive for the use of the anabolic steroid nandrolone in January, has received the results of his 'B' sample, after being contacted by the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU), who confirmed the positive test on Tuesday.
"The South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) has been notified that the result of Herkie Kruger's 'B' sample test correlates with the 'A' sample result," read the statement. "This has been communicated to the player, who was informed recently that he had returned a positive result for a prohibited substance.
"SARFU is presently liaising with the player's legal counsel with regards to finding a suitable date for a hearing. Once this has been finalised SARFU will be in a position to provide further details on the matter."
Kruger, a flyhalf in the Andrew Mehrtens' mode, with a bright future in the game, was tested on January 24, the positive test coming to light nearly a month later in an Afrikaans daily, Beeld.
Nandrolone is the same substance that Stormers’ and Springbok prop Cobus Visagie tested positive for two years ago. After originally being found guilty and banned for two years, Visagie launched an appeal and was eventually acquitted.
Visagie held that he had inadvertently tested positive after taking supplements provided by the team management. Ingredients inside the supplements actually contributed to his body producing a "natural" form of nandrolone, resulting in him testing positive.
There is still doubt as to how much nandrolone the body must produce naturally in order to be picked by random drug tests.
If found guilty, Kruger faces a two-year ban from the game.
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