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Springbok hooker Ralepelle fails drugs test - reports
By Online Editors
South African rugby has been rocked by reports that Springbok hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle has failed a drugs test.
According to Netwerk 24, the Sharks front rower failed a random drugs test last January, undertaken by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) at Kings Park.
Ralepelle is yet to play for the Sharks this season.
The 32-year-old has featured under Rassie Erasmus, starting last June's 22-20 defeat to Wales in Washington DC. He also featured in the 2-1 series victory over England, playing in the third Test which the Springboks lost 25-10.
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Ralepelle is rated as the 14th best hooker in the Super 14 in the RugbyPass Index with an RPI of 70.
It's not the first time that he's failed a drugs test, he was banned for two years in 2014 for an anabolic steroid.
The allegations are an unwelcome distraction for the Sharks ahead of their Super Rugby clash with the Bulls on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
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Leinster B team a bit rich they’re an excellent side with the best of sport science coaching behind them making the utmost of their personnel. Rugby SA and Rassie the wizard need to find some better coaching talent from seomewhere for our franchises they're falling behind. Plumtree isn't bad but he's not up there with the big boys even Jake just makes the cut. With better coaching and use of our super talented Sharks personnel the Sharks would be unbeatable.
Go to commentsCredit to Leinster. Sharks are heroes against average opposition, and zeros against well-coached teams. Amazing, given the awesome roster.
Plumtree says it was only one score. Hello? Some thoughts: 1/ The best coaches never say that, and 2/ an incremental maul try would not change the fact that the team was boring and static in attack.
Suggestion for Neil Powell: Stop doing whatever you are doing, and do whatever it takes to hire a coaching team with vision.
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