Stade Francais backrow forward Hendre Stassenhas been provisionally suspended by the French Anti-Doping Agency after failing a drug test after a Top 14 match in May, the club announced on Friday. 

The 21-year-old South African, who played for the Blue Bulls before joining Stade Francais in October, failed the random test after his side's 42-25 defeat at Montpellier in the penultimate round of the regular season. 

"Without prejudging the rest of the procedure, and pending further investigation and development of the ongoing procedure, Stade Francais has decided to allow Hendre Stassen to take the time to organise his defense and suspend his involvement with the club," said the club in a statement.

"Stade Francais attaches the utmost importance to sports ethics and makes the fight against doping a constant priority.

"The club will cooperate with all relevant bodies and will accept the conclusions of the proceedings."

The suspension marks further trouble for Stassen who is currently the subject of another police investigation in South Africa after he allegedly assaulted 26-year-old dentist Markus Botes outside a Pretoria nightclub during the early hours of June 15.

Botes required corrective surgery prompting the charge to be elevated to the more serious crime of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

Former Bulls forward facing 4-year drugs ban

Former Bulls forward Hendre Stassen faces a ban of up to four years for testing positive for a banned substance. 

News broke earlier this month that the 21-year-old, who plays for Heyneke Meyer's Stade Francais, had failed a drugs test after after a Top 14 clash in May. 

Now, according to French publication  https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Hendre-stassen-stade-francais-positif-a-la-testosterone-risque-quatre-ans-de-suspension/1042726?hootPostID=e35b6f280be66446679214700dd1a4cb" rel="nofollow - Lequipe , that B-sample has tested positive for unnaturally elevated levels of testosterone and Stassen is in trouble. 

The report says that Stassen could face between two to four years out. 

If he accepts the findings he could hope for a reduced punishment, but if he contests them legally and draws the matter out then he will face the full punishment while remaining suspended during the legal process. 

Stassen, who left for Stade Francais last October, is also currently the subject of an investigation in South Africa after he allegedly assaulted a 26-year-old dentist outside a Pretoria nightclub last month. 

Stade Francais tear up SA lock's contract

South African lock Hendre Stassen has been relieved of his duties at French club Stade Francais after failing a doping test.

The 21-year-old former Bulls and Junior Springbok tested positive at a random screening in May.

Stade on Friday confirmed via their  http://www.stade.fr/actualites/news/communique/2019-09-27-hendre-stassen-n-est-plus-joueur-stade-francais-paris" rel="nofollow - official website  that Stassen's B-sample had also tested positive for a banned substance and immediately relieved the player of his duties.

The statement from the club read: "The results of the second urine test carried out on 18 July at the request of Hendre Stassen confirmed the result of the first sample.

"Given the approach and actions taken by the French Agency for the fight against doping and damage to the image of Stade Francais Paris, the club has initiated a procedure for breach of the contract of its player which has resulted his dismissal for serious misconduct.

"The club wishes to recall that it is fully committed to the fight against doping and that it is committed to exemplary flawlessness so that it cannot tolerate the slightest doubt about it.

"As a result, Hendre Stassen is no longer a player at Stade Francais Paris. No further statements will be made on this subject."

Stassen has been on Stade's books since 2018.

The Parisians are coached by former Springbok mentor Heyneke Meyer.