South African police will not prosecute New Zealand under-20 rugby player Nathan Harris, accused of raping a woman at the team's hotel in Cape Town during the age group world championship three months ago.
Police say they have closed their investigation into the allegation against Harris made by a 22-year-old woman and will not be taking any further action.
Harris says he is pleased and relieved to have been cleared.
"The past three months has been an incredibly difficult time for me and my family, and now I want to put this matter behind me," he said in a statement on Friday.
"My focus is now on getting on with playing rugby and I'll be working hard to prove I can be a good asset for any team I am lucky enough to be involved in."
The Bay of Plenty academy player said at the time that he was wrong to break team rules and allow a woman to enter his room.
Neil Sorensen, New Zealand Rugby Union's general manager of professional rugby, says the organisation considered his actions to be misconduct, and has decided the matter will be recorded as a warning on his file.
"We now consider the chapter closed."
The Baby Blacks lost the IRB world championship final against 22-16 to South Africa.
NZN