/ 13 June 1997

Sarfu upholds drug bans

FRIDAY, 11.00AM:

APPEALS against their doping sentences by banned rugby players Johan Ackerman, of Northern Tranvaal, and Bennie Nortje and Stefan Bronkhorst of Gauteng, were rejected on Thursday by the South African Rugby Football Union.

The players have been sentenced with a two-year banning after testing positive for illegal substances earlier this season.

Sarfu CE Rian Oberholzer said he was pleased the sentences were confirmed. “A strong message has been sent out to any of those players considering the use of illegal substances, that they will be caught and punished.”