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Hendre Stassen has made his comeback after a four-year doping ban
By Liam Heagney
Hendre Stassen has become the latest South African rugby player to make his return to the professional game following a four-year ban for a failed doping test.
The Stormers sent the utility forward into battle for the last 15 minutes of their Friday night URC loss at Cardiff, an appearance that was his first since the 2019 suspension he received while playing for Stade Francais in France.
Stassen was brought on by Stormers boss John Dobson in the 65th minute at the Arms Park to replace Willie Engelbrecht, his debut coming more than eight weeks after the Cape Town franchise confirmed a deal offering the now 25-year-old a route back into the pro ranks.
The return of Stassen to the field came just weeks after the Sharks provided Aphiwe Dyantyi his path back into the sport after the expiry of his four-year ban for doping.
Whereas the then Springboks winger Dyantyi tested positive for multiple anabolic steroids, Stassen, the 2017 Junior Bok who was playing in France under former Springboks boss Heyneke Meyer after starting out at the Bulls, was banned for elevated testosterone levels.
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Despite that finding, Stassen maintained his innocence and after the Stormers confirmed two months ago that they were contracting him for the 2023/24 season, he said: "It has been great to connect with my new teammates in the pre-season.
"I am very grateful for the opportunity I have been given to represent the Stormers. I want to make the most of it and show my commitment to the team.”
Head coach Dobson added at the time: “Hendre has shown a great attitude since joining us, he is a hard worker who is ready to give everything for the team.
"We are looking forward to seeing the impact he can make both in the second row and on the side of the scrum for us.”
Stassen’s return couldn’t prevent the Stormers from falling to their fourth successive defeat on their four-game European tour, Cardiff striking with a last-gasp converted try to clinch their 31-24 win.
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Great effort by the Landers. Canberra is going to be a tough place to win if the home-town decisions keep coming - seemed to be two different sets of rules for the breakdowns.
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