SA vs AUS: Kyle Verreynne, Ashwell Prince handed demerit points after Cape Town Test
Kyle Verreynne (Source: Getty Images)
Published - 02 Nov 2026, 04:10 PM• Read time - 2 mins
South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince and batter Kyle Verreynne have been handed official reprimands along with one demerit point each by the ICC (International Cricket Council) for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
The duo was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.”
It was a first offence for both in a 24-month period as they were reprimanded for the same incident. It occurred during the third Test between Australia and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. On Day 3 of the match, Prince was seen shouting repeatedly at the umpires after opener Marques Ackerman wasn’t allowed to use DRS after his dismissal in South Africa’s second innings.
Ackerman wanted to appeal against the caught behind appeal. However, the on-field umpires didn’t comply with his request as he had taken more than the prescribed 15 seconds to opt for the technology review of his dismissal.
As Ackerman walked towards the boundary line, Prince repeatedly shouted at the umpires, saying that there was still time left for DRS to be taken. On the other hand, Verreynne wasn’t in the playing eleven and asked Ackerman to remain inside the boundary line, which caused his delayed departure from the field.
Prince and Verreynne admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Match Referee Javagal, eliminating the need for formal hearings.
South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs
On-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough, third umpire Chris Gaffaney, and fourth umpire Lubabalo Gcuma levelled the charges.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
Meanwhile, South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs in the third Test to win the series 2-1 and climb to the top of the ICC Test team rankings.