Australia batsman David Warner has apologised for causing "distress" to cricket fans "in Australia and all over the world" after the ball-tampering incident which has seen him banned for a year.
Warner, Test captain Steven Smith, and batsman Cameron Bancroft have all been banned by Cricket Australia bosses for their part in the incident.
"Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket," Warner was quoted by the BBC as saying.
"It's a stain on the game we all love."
Cricket Australia's investigation confirmed Bancroft used sandpaper to damage the ball during the third Test against South Africa.
Smith admitted that the Aussie "leadership group" had devised a plan to tamper with the ball, and the investigation found Warner instructed Bancroft how to carry it out.
As well as their year-bans from international cricket, Smith, 28, and Bancroft, 25, have been suspended from captaining Australia for at least the next two years.
Warner, 31, will not be considered for any team leadership positions in the future, according to Cricket Australia.
All three players have been sent home from the tour.
