Do the SAIDS anti-doping rules apply to under-18 and school athletes?

Yes. There is no minimum age. The SAIDS Anti-Doping Rules (2021) apply to all athletes and support staff who take part in events and activities run or recognised by any South African national federation or its members, and to anyone using services provided by government, SAIDS or the federations. Taking part counts as agreeing to be bound by the rules. SASCOC and its member federations have adopted them automatically.

Every athlete is responsible for knowing what counts as a violation and what is on the Prohibited List. Under-18s are treated differently in a few ways:

• Minor: anyone under 18. Their violations do not have to be made public.
• Protected Person: an athlete under 16, or under 18 who is not in a Registered Testing Pool and has never competed internationally in an open (senior) category. Protected Persons can receive lighter, more flexible sanctions.
• Extra safeguards during testing: two sample collection personnel, and a representative recommended throughout.

Elite 16 and 17 year olds (in a testing pool or with senior international experience) are not Protected Persons, but are still Minors.

A new World Anti-Doping Code takes effect on 1 January 2027; these answers reflect the rules in force in 2026.