Former South Africa captain
The incident, which saw Cameron Bancroft caught using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball, resulted in significant sanctions for the Australian leadership group. Smith and vice-captain David Warner were eventually handed one-year suspensions by Cricket Australia, while the International Cricket Council imposed a one-Test ban on Smith. Du Plessis admitted that he had not anticipated the severity of the fallout when he first sent his message of support.
A Gesture of Solidarity Amidst Intense Scrutiny
Du Plessis recalled feeling a sense of empathy for Smith, noting that the situation mirrored the intense media storm he faced himself in 2016. During that earlier period, the South African was accused of using residue from a sweet to alter the ball during a Test match against Australia in Hobart. When the Cape Town controversy erupted, du Plessis felt compelled to reach out to his counterpart, telling him that he had done nothing wrong and offering his backing.
The former South African leader explained that he had initially hoped the situation would blow over within a week, unaware of the long-term consequences that would follow. He emphasised that his message was intended to provide comfort to a fellow player who was being subjected to global criticism. Du Plessis noted that he and his teammates felt Smith was being unfairly singled out for taking responsibility for the actions of others.
Reciprocating Support from the 2016 Hobart Controversy
The bond between the two players was forged during the 2016 incident, often referred to as Mintgate. Du Plessis shared that while the South African dressing room viewed the accusations as relatively minor at the time, the global media reaction quickly escalated the situation. Despite the rivalry between the two nations, Smith had publicly defended du Plessis when asked about the allegations, stating that shining the ball using sweets was a common practice in cricket.
Du Plessis highlighted that Smith’s decision to speak out in his defence had left a lasting impression on the South African squad. He noted that Smith chose to do the right thing rather than succumb to the pressure of criticising a rival. This act of sportsmanship earned Smith significant respect within the South African camp, a sentiment that prompted du Plessis to offer his own support when Smith later found himself at the centre of his own high-profile controversy.
