No South Africa investigation into Bancroft tampering

Cameron Bancroft's ball-tampering will not be investigated by Cricket South Africa, who will leave the matter to the ICC.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) will not launch its own investigation into the ball-tampering scandal that has hit the country's third Test against Australia in Cape Town.

The tourists on Saturday admitted an attempt to alter the condition of the ball after Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera rubbing it with yellow tape.

Captain Steve Smith and deputy David Warner have stood down from their leadership positions until the end of the Test for their part in the plot.

But Proteas team manager Mohammed Moosajee says the matter, from a disciplinary perspective, will be left to the ICC.

"The process is very much in the match referee and the ICC's hands," he said. 

"I think the fact that Australia has admitted to what they have done... It certainly comes across as very unfortunate and there's no place for that in cricket at all.

"Certainly, [there will be] no investigation from CSA. I'm not sure what the ICC's position is on that, but as far as we are concerned, we leave it for the ICC, for them to make a call on what the next steps are and what the sanctions are going to be."

Moosajee did, however, reveal his surprise that no action was taken at the time a potential infringement was first alerted to the umpires.

"I'm surprised in the sense that they didn't change the ball because the condition had not been affected," he added. 

"My understanding of the rules, if there is evidence like that then they should have changed the ball and a five-run penalty should have been awarded."

Tim Paine has stepped in as captain for day four of the Test, although Smith, Warner and Bancroft remain in the team.