South African rugby player Mahlatse ‘Chiliboy’ Ralepelle faces a potential two-year suspension after testing positive for a banned substance in France.

The French daily L’equipe reported Saturday that Ralepelle was now “under investigation” and his club had been informed of the positive test.

The Springbok, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, was tested out of competition and his ‘A-sample’ was found to contain traces of Drostanalone, an anabolic steroid that is often used in bodybuilding.

The player’s ‘B-sample’ is now likely to be tested for confirmation at an independent laboratory before Ralepelle can be called to account for the positive sample.

The tests, which took place on March 19, formed part of random tests conducted under the IRB’s anti-doping regime after Ralepelle was injured playing for his French club Toulouse.

He tore knee ligaments in a game against Biarritz, an injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season and also the June test series for the Springboks.