Broke Visagie to appeal
February 21, 2001

Former Springbok front rower Cobus Visagie said on Tuesday he would appeal against the two-year ban imposed on him by Judge Edwin King's independent tribunal for the use of anabolic steroids.

The Western Province and Stormers star, arguably the best tighthead prop in world rugby, said he was shocked by the decision and is facing an uphill financial battle as a result of the verdict.

"I am shocked," he told the Cape Times. "It's a gross injustice. There is nothing I could have done differently and I did not take anything illegal. Over the past two years of my playing career I was tested 10 times. How in my right mind would I have decided to use nandrolone?"

Visagie added he could face financial ruin as a result of the loss of income and legal fees. "I lost my business as I was the sole supplier of capital and I owe a lot of money to my lawyers.

"I also heard I owe the Receiver of Revenue R38 000. As things stand, I'm broke. I won't be getting in any money at the end of the month."

The 27-year-old prop showed unusually high levels of 19-norandrosterone when he was tested after Western Province's Currie Cup final victory last year. His levels were found to be between three and 11 nanograms per millilitre of urine - well above the legal amount of just under two.

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