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‑Test showdown in Durban this Friday. The encounter will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, pitting the world’s top‑ranked side against the second‑ranked team in a clash that carries both sporting and historical weight. The ball‑tampering controversy that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world unfolded during the Cape Town Test in March 2018.
In that match, Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using a small, yellow object that later proved to be a piece of sandpaper intended to alter the condition of the ball. The incident led to a cascade of sanctions: Bancroft received a nine‑month suspension from Cricket Australia, while then‑captain Steve Smith and vice‑captain David Warner were handed twelve‑month bans for their involvement and prior knowledge of the plan. Six years later, former South African fast‑bowler Shaun Pollock reflected on the episode during the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. "I wasn’t on air at the time, but I remember the immediate fallout and the massive impact it had," Pollock said.
"Messages were flooding in from home, people saying, ‘I can’t believe this has happened.’ For a couple of hours, everything that was happening on the field seemed secondary to the drama off it. We sensed that trouble was brewing." Since that turbulent episode, Australia has not returned to South African soil for a Test series.
A planned tour for early 2021 was scrapped because of the COVID‑19 pandemic, leaving a long gap in the bilateral schedule. Meanwhile, South Africa celebrated a landmark triumph last summer by defeating Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, a victory that has heightened enthusiasm for the longest format back home. The Durban Test marks South Africa’s first home Test in 16 months, and the nation is eager to showcase the momentum generated by that championship win.
England will commence its own three‑Test tour of South Africa in December, but Pollock believes the Australian series will capture the imagination of fans more than the English contest. "There’s something special about facing Australia," he explained.
"The history between South Africa and England is rich, and the Barmy Army will certainly be present, but if you ask supporters to pick a ‘prized scalp’, Australia is the obvious choice, to be brutally honest." Pollock also noted that the World Test Championship success has sparked a renewed appetite for Test cricket across South Africa. "The win has created a bigger hunger for the format, which is a real plus for us. I can picture the WTC mace being paraded at each venue, especially when we’re up against Australia," he said.
When asked about the likely atmosphere for the Australian team, Pollock predicted a spirited yet not overly hostile reception. "There have been several re‑runs of the 2018 series in the media lately, which may stoke a bit of animosity, but South Africans don’t need a billboard or a specific provocation to express their feelings toward Australia," he remarked.
"You’ll probably see a few fans dressed up in reference to Sandpapergate, and the incident will be mentioned from time to time, but I don’t think it will become excessive." Turning to the competitive outlook, Pollock forecasted a 2‑1 series win for South Africa in both the upcoming contests against Australia and England. He highlighted concerns about Australia’s batting order, describing it as a potential Achilles’ heel.
"Australia’s batting has been shaky for me," he said. "In the recent one‑day series they struggled against spin, which might encourage us to field two spinners in the opening Test." Pollock also touched on the selection debate surrounding Marnus Labuschagne and other top‑order options, noting that the Australian side appears unsettled.
"There’s a lot of talk about whether Labuschagne should play or if someone else should be picked. In the past, players earned their spots through injury replacements; now it feels like everyone is just being thrown into the mix," he observed. "They rely heavily on the likes of Steve Smith and Travis Head, and if those pillars falter, the whole lineup could wobble." The first Test between South Africa and Australia will be streamed live on Sky Sports Cricket, with coverage beginning at 7:30 am GMT (8:30 am local time) on Friday.
Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to a match that not only tests skill and strategy but also revisits a narrative that has lingered in the sport’s collective memory for years. The series promises to blend high‑stakes competition with a renewed sense of rivalry, offering fans a compelling chapter in the evolving story of international Test cricket.