Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to play the third Test between South Africa and Australia at Newlands. The decision was made after a hearing before the Right Honorable Michael Heron, who imposed a sanction of a fine of 25% of his match fees and one demerit point. Proteas team manager, Dr. Mohammad Mossajee and a legal team led by high-profile barrister Dali Mpofu argued the 22-year-old's innocence in a marathon six-hour hearing on Monday with Heron via video conference.

“The key issue is whether Mr. Rabada made ‘inappropriate and deliberate physical contact’ with Mr. Smith. I am not ‘comfortably satisfied’ that Mr. Rabada intended to make contact and I, therefore, find him not guilty of the charge under 2.2.7".

“I am entitled, however, to consider whether the conduct involved constitutes a lower-level offence. I consider the conduct was inappropriate, lacked respect for his fellow player and involved non-deliberate and minor contact. The actions contravened the principle that a dismissed batsman should be left alone".

“I consider a penalty of the imposition of a fine of 25% of the applicable match fee to be the appropriate penalty for the breach of Article 2.1.1. As a consequence, 1 demerit point accrues. Mr. Rabada will be well aware of the consequences of any further breaches of the code.”

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, AB de Villiers.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.