Reports: Banned Springboks wing targets comeback with Sharks
Banned Springboks wing Aphiwe Dytantyi could soon be set for a career lifeline, three years after being suspended from all rugby.
Dyantyi was given a four-year ban from all forms of the game in December 2020 after testing positive to illegal performance-enhancing substances in July 2019.
However, while the 13-test international's suspension won't lapse until next August, he is free to train with teams six months before the end of his ban.
That means Dyantyi will be available to link up with teams in a training capacity from next February, and recent reports out of South Africa have linked him with a move to the Sharks.
According to Independent Online, Dyantyi's move to the Sharks looks "increasingly certain" following the departure of fellow Springboks wing Sbu Nkosi to the Bulls.
That report follows news from Rapport last month that the former Lions flyer has already relocated to Durban, where he is reportedly working and training ahead of an anticipated comeback in the United Rugby Championship.
Dyantyi's ban from the rugby world came on the back of a debut international campaign in which he started in all 13 of South Africa's tests in 2018 and went on to be crowned World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.
The last of his test appearances came against Wales in Cardiff during South Africa's 2018 end-of-year tour, but the 27-year-old outlined is intent on returning to action in an Instagram post published in February.
"This year marks three years out of the game. A very challenging three years coupled with tears, rebuilding, love and laughter," Dyantyi wrote.
"A trial and error period in my life, but two business projects down the line, I wouldn’t change anything about my life journey. The support has been both heartwarming and humbling (THANK YOU).
"I find myself in a privileged position of building beyond rugby and focusing on getting back on the field, and get back I will…
"I’m only getting started…”
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Dont know if the Irish players said it or not, but lets all be honest with ourselves, and hopefully both the Irish and French have healed by now, the Media did jump the gun, be realistic, according to 90% of the media it was a France and Ireland final, and the media had 1 of them winning the world cup, not even mentioning the All blacks? Just remember world cups are different, Australia was not the most in form cricket tean in the last cricket world cup, but they have a nack of winning when it matters. I wont go into whether what Etzabeth is saying is true, all I am saying is that its very easy for a team to get ahead of themselves due to the media. Nothing wrong with it, the media got the springboks over confident against England and we nearly lost that one.
Go to commentsHey Finn, Well done to the Junior Wallabies…a win is a win but it was a wet and scrappy game. Would be interesting to hear your opinion on two things from watching the game at the Not So Sunny Coast Stadium. Firstly, what is your opinion on the rule change of being able to call The Mark from a kick off and what is the reason for the change? Secondly, your thoughts on the lack of action for the high tackle on the SA fullback. I understand the TMO ruled that he had fallen into the tackle and the tackler didn’t have time to adjust but it was clearly shoulder on head and the Aussie 11 had not made any attempt to adjust his tackle height leading into the tackle. In my opinion he was never going to get his tackle technique correct to complete a safe tackle. If that tackle was made at a more senior and more scrutinised level would we have seen the same result?
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