Cricket South Africa denies its players provoked Kevin Pietersen

Johannesburg:  South Africa's cricket body has "dismissed with contempt" allegations by the head of its English counterpart that South African players provoked Kevin Pietersen in the text message saga that saw him excluded from England's team.

Cricket South Africa's acting chief executive Jacques Faul said on Monday it was "absolute rubbish" that the South Africans instigated the exchange, where Pietersen made derogatory comments about his then-captain Andrew Strauss in messages to the tourists.

In a strongly worded CSA statement, Faul said it was "particularly disappointing" that England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier didn't raise his allegations when they met during the third test at Lord's. Pietersen was dropped for that match and the World Twenty20 following the controversy during the second test at Headingley.

Pietersen will be slowly reintegrated into England's team after settling his differences with management.