In a burst of solidarity, former South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis slid a private message to Australia’s captain Steve Smith during the Cape Town sandpaper scandal. The note, sent the day after Smith declared he would take responsibility for the alleged ball‑tampering, reminded the Australian of the intense media fire he’d faced in 2016.
Smith’s confession came after Cameron Bancroft was caught sanding the ball, and the Australian leadership team was under scrutiny. Du Plessis’s message arrived as the pressure mounted, with Smith’s statement echoing the high‑stakes drama that had already plagued international cricket.
Du Plessis recalled that Smith had defended him during the 2016 Hobart controversy, when Australian bowlers were accused of using sweet residue. The earlier incident had seen Smith criticized in the press, yet he stood by his teammate, a move that left a lasting impression on the South African camp.
The fallout was harsh: Smith was handed a one‑year ban, Bancroft received nine months, and Smith was stripped of captaincy. The International Cricket Council added a one‑Test suspension, underscoring the severity of the offence.
Despite the punishment, the message underscored a rare sportsmanship bond that may help Smith regain footing ahead of the next Test series against India. The gesture could also influence how the Australian team rebuilds confidence for the upcoming ICC tournament.