Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has no sympathy for Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada after his actions have earned him a one-match ban.

READ: Atherton questions Rabada sanction

Four demerit in 24 months. That’s the simple mathematics of the issue. First Shikhar Dhawan. Then David Warner and Steve Smith in the same Test, ironically at the same ground as his latest trangression. The over-charged celebration of Joe Root’s wicket.

The latter infringement of the ICC’s rules means Rabada will not play at the Wanderers in the finale to what is developing into a controversial series.

‘My view is fairly simple. I feel really sorry for the coaching staff and for the players,’ said Pietersen.

‘It’s the accumulation of points. When you accumulate them and when you accept guilt … that tells me something. It says you are admitting that you’ve done something wrong and if you know you’ve done something wrong, then why do you keep doing it? And repeat the offence.

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‘He is a repeat offender. I forget who the player is and whatever team he plays for. If you a repeat offender, you have to learn from your mistakes. The way to be successful at international cricket is to learn from your mistakes. He clearly isn’t learning from his mistakes.

‘And the ICC have to actually say “don’t celebrate in somebody’s face”. If a fast bowler came and celebrated in my personal space once he got me out, I wouldn’t be happy. You saw Joe Root’s reaction. And Crawley. He ran and jumped towards him.

‘I love the battles. The fast bowlers. The banter and when it gets heated and the intensity goes up. But don’t come and jump all over me when you get me out. He’s a repeat offender.’

‘It’s unnecessary.’