Former South Africa cricketer faces jail time for match-fixing charges in Ram Slam

There has been an investigation into foul play involved in the 2015 Ram Slam, and the latest revelation, according to Neil Manthorp, is that the leader of the alleged match-fixing activities during the monthlong tournament is a former international South Africa cricketer.

In mid-December 2015, Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed that its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit had charged a perpetrator - who had been operating as an intermediary - under its Anti-Corruption Code for "fixing, or otherwise improperly influencing aspects of last year's tournament".

The tournament, which ran between November 1 and December 12, 2015, was won by the Titans who beat the Dolphins by 7 wickets in a surprisingly one-sided final.

In addition, the "intermediary" was also charged with failing or refusing to co-operate with the investigation. The identity of the intermediary has been kept a secret, but respected cricket writer and commentator Neil Manthorp has said that the man being questioned is a cricketer who has represented South Africa.

Legal cases are being currently prepared against a number of domestic players for corruption during this season's tournament. Other players are expected to be charged with the lesser crime of "failure to report" suspicious or illegal activity.

The ringleader, whose identity is the bone of contention in this ongoing mystery, faces a definite jail term. Sadly, the revelations will reopen the wounds of Hansie-gate in 2000 when former Proteas skipper Hansie Cronje was convicted of dealing with illegal bookmakers.

The Ram Slam tournament was one of the most popular and lucrative domestic series, with a number of international players joining provincial franchises. Commentators said the series had attracted the attention of international match-fixers because it was televised live across the globe.

There is no doubt that this is a scandal as big as any to have hit the game in South Africa, or anywhere else where the sport is played.

Whoever the culprit is in the Ram Slam T20 match fixing fiasco, I really hope they have a better defense than 'the devil made me do it'.

— Ben Karpinski (@followthebounce) January 13, 2016