Kagiso Rabada breaks silence on fourth Test ban: "I'm letting the team down and myself"

The South Africa seamer was handed a fourth demerit point in Port Elizabeth which sees him miss the final match of the series at The Wanderers

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South Africa's quick Kagiso Rabada has refused to condemn the ICC for banning him for the fourth Test against England at The Wanderers but concedes his behaviour is letting his team down.

The 24-year-old will miss the concluding match of the series after being given a fourth demerit point in a 24-month period having been deemed to have over-celebrated his dismissal of Joe Root in the England first innings.

Rabada continued down the wicket and screamed in celebration in the vicinity of Root, leading to the reprimand which leaves The Proteas without one of their star performers as they look to level the series.

It was the latest indiscretion from the seamer, whose three previous offences occurred during 2018 - twice against Australia and once against India.

And while Rabada has not openly apologised for the breach, he admits his behaviour has to improve.

"It's something that I didn't expect," he said. "Whether it was the right thing to ban me, or the wrong thing, the reality is that I am banned.

"Obviously it hurts, but it gives me a chance to work on my game and to have a bit of a rest.

"It can't keep happening, because I'm letting the team down and I'm letting myself down.

"It just can't keep happening and that's why it hurts so much."

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Beuran Hendricks and Andile Phehlukwayo have been called into the squad ahead of the fourth Test and, along with Dwaine Pretorius, are in contention to fill the void left by Rabada.

"I have belief in anyone who is going to come into my spot that they have the ability to knock anyone over. That is why they are picked for South Africa," he added.

"We can go there and level the series if a few things go our way, it's highly, highly possible."

Root, whose side lead the series 2-1 after securing victory by an innings and 53 runs on day five, has kept his counsel since the episode.

The Yorkshireman remained restrained during Rabada's outburst and admits he had no issue with the celebration - even if it was in close quarters.

"That was my only concern," he explained. "Thankfully I held my tongue, waited patiently until he'd finished and walked off. 

"He was obviously quite close but I didn't have an issue with it. If I say anything on this it will get someone into trouble so I'm going to keep my mouth shut.

"The most important thing for us as a team is that we respect decisions made on the field and we don't put ourselves in a position where guys are missing games because of celebrations or send-offs. We go about things the right way."