Former South Africa winger Sbu Nkosi has been handed a three-year suspension by World Rugby after testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year.
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South African newspaper Rapport reports that the 28-year-old tested positive for traces of an anabolic steroid commonly used by bodybuilders.
His suspension will reportedly be served retroactively, starting from 16 July this year.
The 2019 Rugby World Cup winner, who made 16 Test appearances and scored nine tries for the Springboks between 2018 and 2021, will be ineligible to play until he is 31, severely limiting his chances of a return to the international stage.
Nkosi, 28, had recently joined the Cheetahs on a one-year deal, following spells with the Bulls and Sharks.
He was a key member of South Africa’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad in Japan.
McGeechan didn’t hesitate when naming the best three rugby players in history
A legendary player and coach, McGeechan has spent decades at the heart of the sport, guiding teams and observing the finest talents rugby has to offer.
Without hesitation, McGeechan named his top three rugby players of all time, each of whom left an indelible mark on the game with their extraordinary skill, leadership, and impact on the global stage.
#3. Jonah Lomu
Full Name: Jonah Tali Lomu
Date of Birth: May 12, 1975
Died: November 18, 2015
Nationality: New Zealand
Position: Wing
Overview:
Jonah Lomu was a rugby union sensation and one of the sport’s first global superstars. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing over 120 kg (260 lbs), Lomu combined size, speed, and agility in a way that had never been seen before on a rugby field. He revolutionized the role of a winger, using his power and blistering pace to dominate opponents, and became a household name during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Career Highlights:
Lomu burst onto the international stage as a 19-year-old during the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, where his performance made him an overnight sensation. Most notably, he scored four tries in a semi-final against England, including one unforgettable try where he ran through and over England’s defenders. Although New Zealand did not win the tournament, Lomu’s impact was undeniable.
He continued to be a key figure for the All Blacks until 2002, earning 63 caps and scoring 37 tries. Lomu’s career was cut short due to a rare kidney condition, nephrotic syndrome, which eventually forced his retirement and led to a kidney transplant in 2004.
Legacy:
Despite his illness limiting his playing career, Lomu’s influence on rugby was immense. He brought the sport to a global audience and remains one of rugby’s most iconic figures. His untimely death in 2015 at age 40 was met with widespread mourning, highlighting the lasting impression he made on the sport and its fans.
McGeechan wrote: “Illness and injury ultimately slowed him down. But his performances at the 1995 World Cup, just as the game was turning professional, will never be forgotten. The game needed a superstar, and it got one in Lomu. He was brilliant for rugby.”