WP lock faces drugs ban

Editor

Western Province and Stormers lock Gerbrandt Grobler has been banned for two years for taking anabolic steroids according to reports.

The 22-year-old lock was part of the WP team that won the Currie Cup this year, coming off the bench in the final against the Golden Lions.

That followed a Super Rugby debut for the Stormers in 2013, and he was expected to feature for the Stormers again this season.

However according to Netwerk24, he failed a drugs test after a Currie Cup game in October, testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

Grobler admitted his guilt to the South African Institute for Drugs Free Sports (SAIDS) and will now serve a two-year ban for the offence.

The news is a major blow for the Stormers, who are already without Eben Etzebeth and Manuel Carizza through injury for the early weeks of Super Rugby.