Sharks CEO John Smit says Monde Hadebe retired from professional rugby before he tested positive for steroids.

Khalid Galant, chief executive officer of the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport, told Sport24 that the 25-year-old tested positive for two forbidden forms of steroid. In reaction to the findings, Smit said they are saddened to hear the news, but that Hadebe is not a Sharks player anymore.

'Monde is a man of integrity and a leader in his own right, who, over the years, has been a great ambassador for the Sharks. Due to a recurring injury that hampered his rugby progress he took the decision to retire from rugby at the beginning of the year, prior to the SAIDS findings, and has successfully started a corporate career,' Smit said.

'Monde had acknowledged his mistake in not being more careful and is most remorseful, and had cooperated with SAIDS from the outset, whilst they carried out their investigation,' Smit added. 'The Sharks support and acknowledge the great work that the Anti-Doping Council carries out, and we will continue to educate and provide guidance to our players on the importance of making informed decisions and to know exactly what they take into their bodies and whether or not that is permissible.' 

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