Lions wing and South African Sevens international Rayno Benjamin has been cleared in court on drug charges.

This follows recent reports that Benjamin — along with Lions flyhalf Earl Rose and two others, Chatna Cloete and Heinrich Gordon — were arrested on 31 January whilst allegedly in possession of an alleged schedule 5 substance.

Cloete and Gordon was set free without being charged, while Rose was also cleared without appearing in court.

On Thursday the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) revealed that all charges against Benjamin, which relates to the possession of a schedule 5 illegal substance, were withdrawn at the Randburg Court.

"His name was cleared," the Lions said in a statement, adding that written representations were submitted to the Senior Prosecutor of Randburg, Pieter Erasmus, as well as the Director of Public Prosecutions, and such representations were favourably considered.

"The State was of the opinion that Rayno's version of events would possibly have held up as true in court and that it would have led to an acquittal on the charge.

"Throughout this unfortunate ordeal, the Golden Lions Rugby Union has supported Rayno, believed in his innocence, integrity and honesty and is pleased with the outcome of the case."

365