Sports · Cricket · 3 hrs ago
Faf du Plessis recalls supporting Steve Smith during Sandpapergate
Faf du Plessis says he sent Steve Smith a message of support during the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town.
Australia captain Smith was at the centre of the controversy after Cameron Bancroft was caught trying to alter the ball with sandpaper.
Smith and David Warner were found guilty of roles in the incident, and Cricket Australia later suspended both for a year, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
Du Plessis said he told Smith he had done nothing wrong and urged him to stay strong as media attention grew.
Du Plessis drew on his own 2016 ball-tampering controversy, when he was accused of using residue from a sweet to change the ball's condition during a Test in Hobart.
He said Smith had defended him at the time, describing the exchange as a sign of mutual support between rival captains.
Du Plessis did not say that any further action was planned.
Faf du Plessis says he sent Steve Smith a message of support during the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering controversy.
Du Plessis recalled telling Smith, “You did nothing wrong,” and urging him to stay strong.
He said he empathised with Smith because he had faced a ball-tampering controversy of his own in 2016.
Smith had defended du Plessis during that earlier episode, saying he was shining the ball.
Smith and David Warner received one-year suspensions from Cricket Australia, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
- Who
- Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and Australian captain Steve Smith.
- What
- Du Plessis recalled messaging Smith with support during the Cape Town ball-tampering controversy.
- When
- During the 2018 Cape Town Test. Du Plessis discussed it in an interview published on October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Cape Town, South Africa.
- Why
- Du Plessis said he empathised with Smith, who had previously defended him during his own ball-tampering controversy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Du Plessis faced accusations of using residue from a sweet to alter the ball during a Test against Australia in Hobart.
Smith defended du Plessis, saying he was shining the ball.
Cameron Bancroft was caught attempting to alter the ball with sandpaper during the Cape Town Test.
Du Plessis said he messaged Smith to offer support as the controversy escalated.
- Earlier controversy
- 2016 Test against Australia in Hobart
- Cape Town incident
- 2018
- Cricket Australia suspensions
- Smith and David Warner: one year each
- Cameron Bancroft ban
- Nine months
- ICC suspension
- Smith: one Test
3 sources
What people are saying
Steve came out at the end of the day [in Cape Town in 2018] saying: 'I take responsibility.' And we were like: 'Why are you taking responsibility? You did nothing wrong,'
Listen, I'm so sorry you are going through this. Just be strong. It's going to be a hell for a week or so and then it will probably blow over.
So if you need anything from us, we're here,
no, he's not. He's just shining the ball. I've been on many teams where we shine the ball, we use different sweets.