Natal test James for steroids
September 26, 2001

The Natal Rugby Union will test banned Springbok flyhalf Butch James for the use of illegal substances after accusations that his aggressive tackling style is the result of the use of steroids.

"Butch does not take drugs," Sharks coach Rudolf Straeuli told The Mercury. "It is sad that people want to kick a man when he is down and raise things that are simply not true. We will test him to prove his innocence."

A report in the Johannesburg-based Citizen newspaper at the weekend speculated that James' on-field aggression was consistent with the abuse of anabolic steroids.

James (pictured) denied the rumours. "Everyone knows I don't do drugs," he said on Monday, "but I think you had better speak to my lawyer if you want further particulars," he was quoted in a Durban newspaper.

Sharks fitness trainer Kevin Stevenson also dismissed the rumours. "That is one of the more ridiculous rumours I have heard," said Stevenson. "They have chosen the wrong guy to link with steroids. Butch does not even take vitamins.

"He is the only guy in the Sharks squad that does not take supplements. He occasionally has a protein shake but does not touch anything else. He does not take creatine or anything else.

"The only two guys I have ever come across in rugby that do not take supplements are Butch James and Henry Honiball," Stevenson told The Mercury.

James was banned for six weeks last Wednesday by a Sarfu judicial committee for alleged dangerous tackling in the game against the Free State Cheetahs, but had subsequently lodged an appeal.

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