Graeme Smith is flanked by Gibbs and Boje in this picture

Indian police are still investigating match-fixing claims from 2000 which led to the downfall of former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje.

The police want to interview Gibbs and Boje and could not guarantee they would not be arrested if they toured.

Cricket South Africa's Gerald Majola said: "It is disappointing that Nicky and Herschelle cannot join the team."

He added: "There isn't much choice in the current circumstances."

South Africa head to India for five one-day internationals starting 16 November and the squad is set to be announced on Friday.

Tony Irish, chief executive of the SA Cricketers Association, said: "There has been a considerable amount of effort put into this especially in the past few weeks.

"Despite this, however, we are still not able to determine the intentions of the police and whether or not the safety and freedom of these players can be guaranteed."

The Cronje affair, centring on match fixing and illegal betting, rocked the cricketing world in 2000.

It's very clear to me that Nicky has never done anything wrong and the Indian police won't tell us what they think he may have done wrong Tony Irish

Cronje was South Africa captain when Gibbs and Boje first made their mark.

Indian police are still probing the match-fixing affair which came to light when they monitored phone calls made by Cronje.

The former South Africa captain, who later died in an air crash in 2002, confessed to receiving gifts and money to influence results in 2000 and was subsequently banned from the game.

Gibbs was banned for six months for his part in the affair while Boje has always denied any involvement.

Irish added: "It's extremely unfortunate because it's very clear to me that Nicky has never done anything wrong and the Indian police won't tell us what they think he may have done wrong.

"He also co-operated with all requirements given to us by the police prior to last year's tour and it's difficult to understand what else he can possibly do now. "As far as Herschelle is concerned, he paid for what he did years ago by serving a ban which was sanctioned by the ICC at the time."