Former Springbok hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle has 'discreetly returned' to South Africa after being released from his contract by French club Toulouse.

According to reports in Midi Olympique, the 28-year-old's contract was terminated by mutual consent after he tested positive for a banned substance last year.

He is now expected to face a doping hearing in mid-March, where he faces a two-year suspension if found guilty.

This is not the first time Ralepelle has been tested positive, after he and wing Bjorn Basson were found to have a banned substance (methylhexanamine) in their system when tested after South Africa’s clash with Ireland in Dublin in 2010.

The duo claimed the substance was in the Springbok-approved supplements they had taken and were let off the hook.

Photo: Remy Gabalda/AFP Photo