JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) - South Africa's cricket officials stood behind Makhaya Ntini yesterday in his hour of need after he was convicted on rape charges in an East London court.

In a strongly-worded statement issued by the United Cricket Board at a media conference at the Wanderers midday, and signed by the board's managing director, Dr Ali Bacher, the UCB committed support for Ntini until ``the legal process has been completed''.

An appeal is being made against the decision as it is the opinion of the UCB's lawyers as well as Ntini's that it is justified despite the magistrate's ``guilty'' verdict.

Ntini has been withdrawn from the South African World Cup squad for the five week tournament in England, which runs from May 14 to June 20. His replacement is Western Province all-rounder Alan Dawson.

While a shattered Ntini declined to take calls on his cell phone and his long-time coach and friend Raymond Blooi, who plucked him out of obscurity said he was ``heartbroken by the verdict'', Raymond White, the UCB president said that Ntini would be retained as one of the contracted players. Dawson declined to take calls yesterday and switched off his cell phone.

Peter Pollock, the retiring convener of the national selection panel, was non-committal and diplomatically side stepped the issue of who was likely to replace Ntini replacement, saying, ``an announcement will be made by the UCB''. Dawson, however, was always going to be the most likely replacement. He was considered unlucky not to have been included in the squad when it was announced three weeks ago, which Pollock mentioned at the time.

In their statement released yesterday the UCB said it regarded actions such as rape as ``a heinous crime and our previous and current comments on this (rape case) matter must not be construed in any way other light ``We support Makhaya because we believe him as did his and the UCB lawyers to be innocent of the charge. We are obviously disappointed by the judgement handed down by the magistrate.

``We have not had an opportunity to study the judgement, but having spoken to Ntini's lawyers we understand there are definite grounds for appeal. ``The UCB will continue to support Makhaya until the legal process has been completed,'' the statement added.

It has been confirmed that Ntini will not be considered for a South African side until the outcome of the appeal, which could take up to a year. The Border Cricket Board's development officer, Blooi, who has long been a confidante of the 21-year-old fast bowler who toured Australia last year and made his test debut for South Africa against Sri Lanka in March last year, was himself ``heartbroken''.

``Makhaya is considered as role model for South African youth and the way he was brought up by his parents he would never do anything of this nature,'' said Blooi. He has always been a loyal South African and a decent person.''