Sharks CEO reacts to doping findings

SHARKS’ hooker, Monde Hadebe, has been banned from rugby for four years for a steroid-related doping offence. The findings were made by the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS). Hadebe, a former Westville Boys’ High School pupil, has not featured for the coastal franchise this year.

Reacting to SAIDS findings, The Sharks CEO John Smit, said they were saddened to hear the news about Hadebe.

“Monde is a man of integrity and a leader in his own right, who, over the years, has been a great ambassador for The Sharks. Due to a reoccurring injury that hampered his rugby progress he took the decision to retire from rugby at the beginning of the year, prior to SAIDS findings, and has successfully started a corporate career.”

“Monde had acknowledged his mistake in not being more careful and is most remorseful, and had co-operated with SAIDS from the outset, while they carried out their investigation. The Sharks support and acknowledge the great work that the Anti-Doping Council carries out, and we will continue to educate and provide guidance to our players on the importance of making informed decisions and to know exactly what they take into their bodies and whether or not that is permissible,” he said.

This is the second Sharks hooker to be tested positive after Chiliboy Ralepelle, who is currently on tour with the Sharks, was suspended for two years after a positive test for a metabolite of an anabolic steroid, while playing in Toulouse in France.