Rabada has finished a “substance abuse treatment program” and is now qualified to play

By
Jay Rock
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6

Earlier this year, during the SA20 tournament, Kagiso Rabada used drugs recreationally. The South African pacer was formally informed of his offense in April while playing for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. After that, he went back to South Africa to finish a course of treatment, which allowed him to start playing cricket again.

Rabada was tested after the SA20 match between MI Cape Town and Durban Super Giants on January 21, according to a release from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS). He was placed on provisional suspension after testing positive for a “Substance of Abuse” and being notified of the results on April 1.

“Mr. Rabada tested positive for a Substance of Abuse and was subsequently notified of the allegation of his doping offence on 1 April 2025. A provisional suspension was imposed and Mr. Rabada returned immediately to South Africa from India,” the release stated. While the specific drug was not named in the statement, Article 4.2.3 of the SAIDS Code lists cocaine, heroin, MDMA/ecstasy, and THC among the substances of abuse.

The SAIDS Code’s Article 10.2.4.1, which states: “If the athlete can demonstrate that any ingestion or use happened outside of competition and was unrelated to sport performance, then the period of ineligibility shall be three (3) months,” was also cited in the statement. If the athlete successfully finishes a SAIDS-approved substance abuse treatment program, this could be lowered to one (1) month.

Rabada’s provisional ban was lifted after he finished the two sessions of the mandatory treatment program. “The player accepted responsibility for the doping offence and honoured his provisional suspension,” stated the announcement.

“As per the South African Anti-Doping Rules specifically pertaining to Substances of Abuse, the player was offered an opportunity to complete a substance abuse treatment program. After Mr. Rabada satisfactorily completed two sessions of his treatment program, his provisional suspension ended. The player has effectively served a one-month period of ineligibility and may now resume participation in sport.”

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