Former Springbok powerboating champion, Lionel Ball, has been jailed for an effective 15 years for rape and sexual exploitation of an 11 year old girl.
Ball, of East London, was sentenced by Grahamstown High Court judge, Judith Robertson, Thursday morning.
He was jailed for 15 years on the rape charge and a further seven years on the charge of sexual exploitation, but the sentences will run concurrently.
His co-accused Nokuzola Ntonga was sentenced to an effective 10 years behind bars following her conviction on charges of aiding and abetting Ball to commit a sexual offence, sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Judge Roberson found that there were compelling circumstances that did not warrant her imposing life sentences on the pair.
An application for leave to appeal is underway.
