Fast-medium bowler Ntini was convicted in the East London magistrate's court on Friday, and within hours was dropped from the South Africa cricket squad for the World Cup in England next month.

Sentence is expected to be passed on May 27. Ntini is to appeal the conviction.

Nomangezi Matokazi, 22, who allowed newspapers to name her and use her photograph, said she had been approached by a policeman who told her ntini would pay her the bribe if she would drop the charges.

Matokazi, a student, said she turned the offer down because she wanted justice, not money. ``If I had taken the money it would be as if I made the whole thing up,'' she said.

``I've been carrying a heavy burden,'' she told The Johannesburg Sunday Times. ``At first, I felt reporting the rape was a mistake. It felt like everyonehated me, blaming me for ruining ntini's life. Now he has been found guilty I am glad I had the courage to stand up for my rights.''

She said she was happy with the guilty verdict and felt Ntini should be punished: ``All the young kids looks up to him. If he can rape a woman and escape punishment it sets a bad example.''

On Friday, Ntini put his head in his hands and wept when East London magistrate Deon Rossouw found him guilty of raping Matokazi.

The magistrate said he had no reason to doubt her evidence. She had been grilled for eight hours on the witness stand. ``She would have had to be a remarkable actress to make the entire story up,'' said Rossouw.

Matokazi told the court how Ntini had offered her a lift while she was walking in the rain to buy a loaf of bread.

She had questioned when he failed to stop at a nearby shop but he insisted on going to the East London cricket grounds.

There he led her into a ladies' toilet, started to kiss her. She told the court she had started to cry softlybut screamed aloud when he forced himself on her.

Ntini is out on bail pending sentencing.

United Cricket Board managing director Ali Bacher said the board was `obviously disappointed' by the judgement and would continue to support Ntini until the legal process is completed.