Smith banned as Aussies collapse to loss

Australia's stand-skipper Tim Paine won't blame the ball-tampering scandal for a humiliating collapse of 10-50, which led to South Africa winning the third test by a record-breaking 322 runs.

The Proteas have added indignity to ignominy in Cape Town, setting Australia an imposing target of 430 on day four then claiming 10 wickets in 99 minutes of madness.

South Africa skittled the tourists for 107 to take a 2-1 lead in the four-test series.

Australia's latest Newlands nightmare will forever be marred by Steve Smith's intent to illegally scuff the ball with sticky tape, a ploy Cameron Bancroft acted out on day three.

Smith has copped a one-test ban from the International Cricket Council but faces further sanction from Cricket Australia, who are under immense pressure to sack him as skipper.

Smith confessed overnight that he authorised the premeditated cheating.

Bancroft used the tape while working on the ball in the post-lunch session then attempted to hide it from umpires.

Further sanctions are expected to come from Cricket Australia (CA), who are under pressure to strip Smith of the captaincy.

Smith and vice-captain David Warner spoke with CA chief executive James Sutherland before the start of play on Sunday and stood down from their leadership posts for the rest of the game.

"It was extremely difficult, that's no excuse for what you saw in the last 45 minutes," Paine said, having finished unbeaten on nine then apologised to Australian fans in the post-match ceremony.

"Unfortunately it fell apart in a really ordinary manner, which only rubbed salt into the wounds of what's been a horrible 24 hours for us.

"We are still the Australian cricket team and we are expected to put up a better effort than what we did.

"No one likes losing and no one likes losing in the circumstances that we have."

The wicketkeeper is expected to lead the team in the series finale starting in Johannesburg on Friday.

The 33-year-old faces an incredible challenge as he seeks to rally a new-look XI and deny South Africa their first home test series win over Australia since the fall of apartheid.

Smith is unlikely to be the only enforced omission, depending on the result of CA's investigation.

"The one positive that may come of it, guys are going to get an opportunity to play for their country," Paine said.

"We can try to control how we are seen going forward by our Australian public and become the team that we want to become."

Smith, Warner and Bancroft were all booed to and from the pitch at Newlands.

The openers showed great composure in helping their side reach 57-0 before an unnecessary run out of Bancroft, completed with a direct hit from Proteas captain Faf du Plessis, ignited unmitigated chaos.

The margin was one run short of equalling Australia's biggest test loss to South Africa, in terms of runs.

It shattered a 61-year record for the biggest test victory at Newlands in terms of runs, bettering England's effort in 1957.

Man of the match Morne Morkel, who finished with career-best match figures of 9-110, and Keshav Maharaj were both on hat-tricks during the carnage.

"Everything happened so quickly," Morkel said.

Players furious

Aside from the obvious ethical issues invovled with the ball tampering, Smith's relationship with some teammates may take some time to mend.

Senior players Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon are understood to be furious they have been implicated in the sordid practice.

When asked who was part of the discussion about using tape, Smith refused to name names but referred to "the leadership group". Starc and Hazlewood have previously been part of that group, while Lyon's name was bandied about by some outlets because he is the most experienced player in the XI.

Smith is set to be stood down as captain of his Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals. Warner leads Sunrisers Hyderabad and his image has also taken an immense hit.

Smith travelled to the ground on the team bus on Sunday then sequestered himself from the side. Smith's 10 ashen-faced teammates all warmed up on the morning of day four but their leader was nowhere to be seen.

The ugly episode has prompted an outpouring of shock and condemnation, with the Australian Sports Commission leading calls for Smith and "any other members of the team leadership group or coaching staff who had prior awareness" to be stood down.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull weighed into the saga on Sunday.

"I've spoken with David Peever, the chairman of Cricket Australia, a few moments ago and I've expressed to him very clearly and unequivocally my disappointment and my concern," Turnbull said.

Smith insisted coaching staff, including Darren Lehmann, were not aware of the premeditated plan and that his side have never tried using tape to scuff the ball before.

"Today was a big mistake," Smith said.

"I'm incredibly sorry for trying to bring the game into disrepute."