Last Updated on 11 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Eight years on from an event that rocked its cricket to its very core, Australia will finally play a Test series in South Africa. Sandpapergate is still spoken of today, with even Steve Smith himself opening up on the effect it has had on him.
“The 24-48 hours of being told by James Sutherland that I was getting banned for a year. That and going through the airport in Johannesburg getting absolutely mobbed, and then flying back and doing that press conference was my toughest moment,” Smith said in an interview with CODE Sports in September.
“I’m not a big fan of cameras… I get anxious around cameras to be honest. That was a traumatic experience in my life and when I hear the flash of a camera it makes me revisit that in a way.”
In the eight years since, the Proteas have largely dominated against Australia in ODI cricket, but lost the crucial 2023 World Cup Semi-Final. Then, South Africa ended their ICC trophy drought with victory in the 2025 World Test Championship Final against Pat Cummins’ team.
The rivalry between Australia and South Africa is crying out for a classic Test series, and the upcoming duel might just deliver that.
Australia will get a hostile reception from South Africa fans: Gary Kirsten
Former South Africa batsman and current Sri Lanka coach Gary Kirsten says the Australians will get a hostile reception from fans. Proteas supporters are known for their passion, and they can drive their team towards more strong performances against Australia.
“It will be a hot reception from the fans. It always is in South Africa,” Kirsten told CricBlog.
“It’s not an easy place to come and play as as a foreigner. South Africa is a good side at the moment across all the formats, they’re not easy to beat. And now they’re at home and they’ll be a force to be reckoned with at home, that’s for sure.”
Tensions spilled over between the two teams back in 2018, with the altercation between David Warner and Quinton de Kock one of the infamous moments from a fiery series.
However, Kirsten expects the players will “just get on with the way they need to get on” this time around.
The 2026 series has a number of storylines. South Africa and Australia are currently the top two teams in the World Test Championship. Australia’s batting has a number of question marks, while the Proteas are sweating on the fitness of Kagiso Rabada.
But Kirsten believes South Africa have enough depth to cover should Rabada miss any – or all – of the three Tests.
“KG is world class, but they’ve got three or four others lined up there,” Kirsten said. “Anrich Nortje is back and fit. Marco Jansen has done a great job for them. [Gerald] Coetzee has done a great job for them.”
“So they’ve got some depth in their bowling attack. Yes, he’s a world class performer, but I think what they’ve done really well is build up their depth. So if you do have a few injuries… every team is trying to do that… if they have a few injuries, then you got back up.”
The first Test kicks off in Durban on October 9.
