Chiliboy: I’m not guilty of anything

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Sharks hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle says a substance called Zenarol, and not a steroid, has allegedly been found in his system.

Ralepelle was speaking on the Marawa Sport Worldwide radio show on Tuesday night.

The 32-year-old allegedly tested positive for a prohibited substance on 17 January when the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport executed random drug tests at Kings Park. His A-sample urine tested positive, but he has a right to ask that his B-sample be tested.

It is the third time Ralepelle has tested positive for a banned substance.

In 2010, he and Bjorn Basson tested positive for methylhexanamine while on the Springboks’ end-of-year tour. They were later absolved from any wrongdoing as the substance was found to be contained in supplements approved by the Boks.

Four years later, while at French club Toulouse, Ralepelle tested positive for anabolic steroid drostanolone and was handed a two-year ban.

On Tuesday night, Ralepelle protested his innocence regarding this latest incident, saying he had tested positive for Zeranol, which is a legal growth promotant for livestock, and not a steroid.

‘After the incident in 2014, I had to adjust my diet,’ he was quoted as saying. ‘Meat is something I tried to cut out of my diet.

‘The Sharks have come out and said they are willing to support me as far as they are able to,’ he added.

‘Once you know you’re not guilty of anything, you’re at peace with yourself. I know I did not take anything to the detriment of my career. I got offered a three-year contract at the Sharks and I asked for a six-month contract, because I have other plans.’

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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Simon Borchardt