Illegal substances, mainly steroids, are being peddled at gyms, schools, sports grounds and even by family doctors.
Research on how masculinity influences the drive for muscular bodies through steroid abuse, supplement consumption and over-exercising among teenage boys found that 15% of 500 pupils questioned had used illegal drugs to boost their physiques.
Almost all the boys polled - over 80% - were involved in competitive sport, with close on 40% being rugby players.
The study was conducted among state school pupils aged 15 to 19 by University of KwaZulu-Natal psychology post-graduate student Jarred Martin.
"One youngster told me he had bought steroids in the R100/R200 price range. But he discovered that it was just olive oil in syringes. He got very ill," said Martin.
Martin said boys were paying a 10th of the price of pure steroids, believing they were buying the real thing.
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