recreational drug use ............ dunno if its a smoke or nose-candy, or the penalty ............ (if there is one) ?

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada banned after failing recreational drug test

1. Pace bowler due to lead attack at Lord’s WTC final in June
2. ‘I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down’

PA Media

Sat 3 May 2025 14.46 BST

The South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has revealed he is serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for a recreational drug. Rabada, who sits second in the International Cricket Council Test bowling rankings, returned home after playing two matches with Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League last month.

The Titans said at the time he had done so to tend to an “important personal matter” and the 29-year-old disclosed this was due to returning an adverse analytical finding for a recreational substance.

Rabada, who is due to lead South Africa’s attack in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next month, expressed his regret at his actions and is already looking at drawing a line under the incident although it is unclear when he will be able to resume his career.

“I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down,” he said in a statement released by the South African Cricketers’ Association, the country’s players’ union. “I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations. I am serving a provisional suspension and I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing.

“This moment will not define me. I will keep doing what I have always done, continuously working hard and playing with passion and devotion to my craft.”

Rabada underlined his status as South Africa’s pace spearhead and one of the world’s finest bowlers when he became the quickest to reach 300 Test wickets in terms of balls bowled in October last year. He briefly shot back up to the top of the ICC’s Test bowling standings, having first gone to the summit in January 2018, but he has since been leapfrogged by India’s Jasprit Bumrah.

Rabada has taken 327 wickets at an average of 22 from 70 Tests while he has amassed a further 168 dismissals in 108 ODIs and 71 wickets in 65 T20 internationals.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed in a statement that Rabada had “returned an adverse analytical finding for the use of a prohibited substance,” before adding: “The incident is regrettable, however, Rabada has reassured CSA and his fans of his commitment to upholding professional standards and has restated his passion to the sport of cricket and the country he represents with purpose.

CSA is fully committed to drug-free sport and reminds cricket players, both professional and amateur, of the importance of adhering to all regulations. We are steadfast in our support to all players in this regard.”

Must have been smoking dagga - which has been legalized in SA, I do not think it is perfomrance enhancing at all - matter of fact it is probably negative for performance in matches, Definitely not wiorse than alcohol abuse.

Sad to read about his failing but trust that it was a one of failing.

Talented and one of the best bowlers ever to represent RSA.

It was cocaine unfortunately.

not zol

Rabada will bowl googlies if gerook

According to my friends in RSA it is not called "Zol" it is better know as Zulu tobacco.

If it is cocaine he should be banned for at least three to four years. No wonder his bowlig became erratic ove rthe past year or two. Using of cocaine is self-destructive and should never be countenanced in any sport, .

Mike, have you lost your mind?

3 to 4 years. You must be joking.

At worst it's some counselling and a short ban.

So many sportsmen, including most of the Boks, drink.

For cocaine to actually damage a person, you need to use a lot, and for a very long time.

Do nott know much about drugs - but cocaine is very addictive and is not an occasional usage - but regular usage which is natural once anybody start using it a lon g period of treatment under constant supervision is necessary. Just a question as to cocaine - was the cocaine found in the west wing of the WH for use by Bonkers gone Biden - or his addicted son Hunter? LOL

Mike, here is is some info for you...

15% of people that try alcohol become addicted.

17% of people that try cocaine become addicted.

Alcohol, per user, is responsible for far more violence, social problems, vehicle accidents and health issues than cocaine is...it's not even close.

So perhaps we should ban all the sportsman that drink. Let's ban them for ten years.

I'm not saying I think cocaine or alcohol are good things. Just that it sounds unfair to totally demonise one and condone the other.

PS The vast majority of death and violence around cocaine is related to its traffic and sale...not its use.

Also, can I just add that I think it's absolutely stupid to have alcohol be legal and have marijuana be illegal.

I know that mixed martial arts practitioners say that they get massive benefit from marijuana. They don't get hangovers or negative health effects from it. It's helps with inflammation and pain and many say that it helps to stay both focused and relaxed during training and camps.

Chemically speaking, it does absolutely nothing for enhancing performance, and yet fighters are tested for it.

I'm glad the world is finally waking up to the hypocrisy of it all.