Springbok prop faces drugs ban

Cobus Visagie (left) has protested his innocence

The South African rugby union player who failed a drugs test has been named as prop Cobus Visagie.

The South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) had declined to name the player on Friday when it announced news of the failed dope test.

the circumstances of the matter are complex

  Cobus Visagie

But on Saturday, Visagie said in a statement: "I have been advised from a legal and medical point of view that the circumstances of the matter are complex and, medically speaking, subject to considerable uncertainty."

Visagie's agent said his client, who denied taking banned substances, had appointed a lawyer to handle the SARFU charge.

Visagie has until 10 November to request that a second sample be tested and decide whether he wishes to appear before a disciplinary hearing.

The 27-year-old Western Province player has been a regular in the Springbok front row for the last two seasons but missed the current tour of Argentina, Ireland and Britain due to a wrist injury.

He was randomly tested following a Currie Cup match on 14 October and was informed of the result two weeks later.

Players found guilty of taking anabolic steroids are subject to an immediate two-year suspension according to International Rugby Board regulations.