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Ralepelle faces two-year ban after failing drug test
ESPN Staff
June 10, 2014
Chiliboy Ralepelle of the Bulls tries to shift a tyre during a gruelling pre-season session, Loftus Versveld, Pretoria, South Africa, November 30, 2011
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The French media are reporting that South Africa hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle faces a two-year suspension after reportedly testing positive for a banned substance.

It is believed Ralepelle, 27, who is currently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury sustained while playing for Toulouse in February, was tested out of competition on March 19 and was found to have traces of Drostanalone, an anabolic steroid. Its main medical uses is lowering cholesterol levels and as an antineoplastic agent in the treatment of some cancers. It is popular in bodybuilding where it is used as a diuretic and muscle-defining drug.

L'Equipe reported that Ralepelle was now "under investigation" and his club had been informed of the positive test.

Toulouse president Rene Bouscatel was quoted as saying the club would presume Ralepelle innocent of "intentionally consuming the substance", unless it was proved otherwise. He said it is possible it formed part of medication he was given to recover from surgery.

Ralepelle failed a drugs test in 2010 when he was found to have a banned substance - methylhexanamine - in his system when tested after South Africa's game against Ireland in Dublin in 2010. He was not punished as it was successfully argued the substance was contained in team-approved supplements he had taken.

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