“I Never Expected This to Happen”: William Kaptein Set to Lose Two Oceans Half-Marathon Title
- William Kaptein is reportedly set to lose his latest title following a recent doping controversy
- The South African runner had made history in the event, but recent developments now cast doubt over that achievement
- Kaptein has shared his reflections, revealing unexpected circumstances that contributed to the situation
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South African long-distance athlete William Kaptein has reportedly lost the title he earned at this year’s Two Oceans Half-Marathon in Cape Town.
Kaptein, who made history as the first local to win the race since 1998, will unfortunately have his name removed from the record books.
Source: Facebook
This follows the disclosure that the runner tested positive for cannabis. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) announced that Kaptein had been given a one-month suspension after an out-of-competition doping test detected cannabis in his urine sample.
Cannabis is prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) 2025 Prohibited List, and cannabinoids are banned during competition, meaning athletes cannot have the substance present on race day.
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See the tweet below:
What did Kaptein say about this decision?
The 32-year-old expressed dismay at the results and shared his reflections on Facebook:
“Just two nights before my race, I smoked flavoured hookah at a party, something I often do socially, only to find out later it had been laced with weed without my knowledge,” Kaptein wrote.
“I never expected anything like this to happen.”
Watch the video below:
When did Kaptein win the race?
Kaptein clinched victory in the 20.6 km race, run on a shortened course, in a time of 64:41, edging South African half-marathon champion Bennett Seloyi by just two seconds.
The Two Oceans Half-Marathon maintains a zero-tolerance approach to doping, enforcing an anti-doping policy in line with both WADA and SAIDS regulations. Competitors are required to comply fully with these rules.
Read the tweet below:
Originally handed a three-month suspension, Kaptein’s ban was reduced to one month after he reportedly completed a substance abuse treatment programme run by SAIDS. Although cannabis is not classed as a traditional performance-enhancing drug, it is sometimes used by athletes for its perceived benefits in recovery and mood improvement.
Kaptein said the experience taught him a lesson:
“I’ve learned my lesson and am back in competition now, feeling motivated and ready to move forward. Next year, I’ll be back for that race again.”
Source: Getty Images
Other sports stars who have been banned due to doping
Rabada, aged 29, was handed a one-month suspension from 1 April 2025 to 1 May 2025 after the positive drug test was confirmed in late March.
This suspension forced him to miss a significant portion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. His absence was initially attributed to “personal reasons,” with no public disclosure of the doping violation until recently.
Elton Jantjies, a 2019 Rugby World Cup winner, was also handed a four-year suspension after testing positive for Clenbuterol, a banned substance.
His suspension will run until 2028, by which time he will be 37, turning 38, well past the typical prime for international rugby.
Elton Jantjies' hunting trip sparks backlash online
Briefly News previously reported that former Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies celebrated his birthday on Friday, 1 August 2025, when he turned 35.
The retired rugby star marked the occasion with his first-ever hunting trip in an undisclosed location, sharing pictures from the experience on social media that are now deleted.
However, the post did not go down well with many online users. While some praised the outing, others criticised Jantjies for the nature of the content, with many calling it distasteful.
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Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
