/ 1 August 1997

‘Bok loses steroids appeal

THURSDAY, 5.00PM

FORMER Springbok rugby player Johan Ackermann, has lost his appeal against his two-year suspension from rugby for illegal drug use.

Ackermann, a policeman, tested positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone at a Springbok training camp in in February.

Ackermann says the handling of his urine sample did not follow procedures prescribed by the International Olympic Committee. The judge said Ackermann had signed a form declaring he was satisfied with the sample-taking procedure.