Former Captain and Vice-captain of the Australian cricket team, Steve Smith and David Warner have been banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia.

The decision was taken as a result of the ball-tampering that occurred on the third day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa.

Cameron Bancroft, the player to actually tamper with the ball, has been banned for nine months.

Steve Smith is due to depart for Australia today (March 28) and will speak publicly upon his arrival home in Sydney.

All three players have been replaced in the squad ahead of the fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.