18 Nov 2010

Springbok pleads innocence to doping

6:22 am on 18 November 2010

South Africa's Bjorn Basson has proclaimed his innocence after he and a teammate failed doping tests following the Springboks' win over Ireland in Dublin.

The winger and the prop Chiliboy Ralepelle returned positive test samples for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine after South Africa's 23-21 win over Ireland,

The stimulant is commonly used as a nasal decongestant and may also feature in nutritional supplements.

It was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances last year.

Basson says he has no idea how the drug got into his system but isn't worried because he's knows he's innocent.

And Ralepelle sent the Times newspaper a text message saying "No worries God is in control.

The South African Rugby Players Association chief executive Piet Heymans says it'll take three or four days to have their B samples tested.