The New Zealand under-20 rugby player at the centre of a rape allegation in South Africa has stepped forward.
Nathan Harris has asked for his name to be made public. "There is no one else involved", he said in a statement today.
A 22-year-old Cape Town woman has said she was raped at a hotel by a member of the under-20 rugby side after the team's loss at the World Cup final at the weekend.
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Police said the woman alleges she was raped in the early hours of Saturday morning, South African time, and police have interviewed a number of people.
"I want to say very strongly that I am innocent of the allegation made against me," Harris said.
"However, I should not have allowed a woman to enter my room. This was against team rules."
Harris said he was truly sorry and apologised to his team mates and team management.
"The past five days have been a very stressful and painful time for me and my family.
"I have learnt a lot and now I am hoping for a good outcome so I can get on with my life."
The NZRU said the team and management had complied with South African police requirements and that police indicated they were happy for all team members to travel home.
Harris is understood to have given a DNA sample and fingerprints and may be required to fly back to South Africa for further questioning.