Australia embarks on its first Test series in South Africa since the infamous "Sandpapergate" scandal of 2018, kicking off with the opening match of a three‑game set in Durban on Friday. The contest, broadcast live on Sky Sports, pits the two highest‑ranked sides in the world against each other and promises a blend of high‑stakes cricket and lingering drama from the past.
The ball‑tampering controversy erupted during the Cape Town Test in March 2018, a series that South Africa eventually won 3‑1. Television footage captured Australian player Cameron Bancroft using a small, yellow device that was later identified as a piece of sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball.
The incident sent shockwaves through the sport. Cricket Australia responded by imposing a nine‑month suspension on Bancroft, while then‑captain Steve Smith and vice‑captain David Warner each received twelve‑month bans for their involvement and prior knowledge of the plan. More than six years later, former South African fast bowler Shaun Pollock reflected on the episode during the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
He recalled the immediate reaction back home, saying, "We were getting messages from back home of people going, 'I can't believe this has happened'. For the next hour or two, whatever happened on the cricket field was kind of irrelevant to everything that was going on. We knew there was trouble brewing." Pollock emphasized that the scandal dominated headlines and public conversation, eclipsing the on‑field action for a time. Australia has not visited South Africa since that fraught series, and a planned tour for early 2021 was cancelled because of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
The upcoming Durban Test, therefore, marks a significant moment for both nations. South Africa, fresh from a historic victory over England at Lord's last summer—where they clinched the World Test Championship final—will be playing its first home Test in 16 months. The excitement is palpable, and the series is expected to draw considerable local and international interest.
England is set to launch its own three‑Test tour of South Africa in December, but Pollock believes the Australian series will capture the imagination of fans more intensely. "There's definitely something special about the Australia series," he said. "There's obviously some wonderful history between South Africa and England, and we'll thoroughly enjoy that series too – I know the Barmy Army are coming out – but I think it's Australia, to be brutally honest." He added that the recent World Test Championship triumph has heightened enthusiasm for the longest format in the country, suggesting that the iconic Test mace might even be paraded around the venues as a nod to the high‑profile opponent. Regarding the atmosphere that Australian supporters can expect, Pollock does not anticipate extreme hostility.
He noted that recent media replays of the 2018 incident have stirred some animosity, but he believes the reaction will be measured. "When you play against Australia, people in South Africa won't need a reason to write a billboard or have a go at them about some particular reason," he remarked.
"I'm sure there'll be a few people coming dressed up in accordance with Sandpapergate, but I don't think it'll be over the top or too intense." Looking ahead to the cricket itself, Pollock predicts a 2‑1 series win for South Africa against both Australia and England. He cites concerns about Australia's batting line‑up as a key factor. "Australia's batting would be a concern for me," he explained. "I watched the one‑day series and they didn't play spin that well at all, and that might even tempt South Africa to play two spinners in the first Test." He also highlighted uncertainty around the selection of Marnus Labuschagne and other top order players, suggesting that the Australian side appears unsettled and overly reliant on veterans Steve Smith and Travis Head.
The first Test will be aired live on Sky Sports Cricket, with coverage beginning at 7:30 am GMT (8:30 am local time) for the first ball. As the two cricketing powerhouses prepare to clash, the legacy of Sandpapergate adds an extra layer of narrative to what promises to be a compelling series, blending sporting excellence with a reminder of the sport's recent turbulent history.