Faf du Plessis recalls supporting Steve Smith during 2018 scandal

Former South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis has reflected on his decision to reach out to Australian captain Steve Smith during the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering controversy. Du Plessis expressed empathy for Smith, noting that the media pressure and accusations of cheating reminded him of his own ball-tampering charge in Hobart in 2016.

Du Plessis recalled Smith’s decision to publicly take responsibility for the incident, which surprised the South African team. Following the scandal, which involved Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to alter the ball, Smith received a 12-month suspension from Cricket Australia and a one-Test ban from the ICC. Du Plessis admitted that while he sent a message of solidarity to Smith, he had underestimated the long-term severity of the fallout, telling Smith at the time that the situation would likely blow over within a week.