South African broadcaster SuperSport posted a promo on X ahead of the three‑match Test series against Australia, featuring a camera emoji and a promise that its coverage would be sharp. The post alluded to the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal without naming it, and drew immediate attention online.
The reference carries a specific history. During the third Test at Newlands in March 2018, SuperSport’s broadcast crew captured footage of Cameron Bancroft manipulating the ball with a small yellow object midway through South Africa’s second innings, in the 43rd over. The broadcaster reportedly had more than 30 cameras deployed for that match, 18 of them manned. Umpires had grown suspicious that Australia was working the ball unusually hard and had informally asked the SuperSport crew to flag anything irregular they observed.
Once the footage was reviewed in the broadcast truck, team management was alerted. Coach Darren Lehmann relayed a message to 12th man Peter Handscomb on the field, after which Bancroft concealed the object inside his trousers. The incident resulted in bans for Bancroft, then‑captain Steve Smith and David Warner, and remains one of the most discussed episodes in Test cricket.
Why does the SuperSport post carry extra weight this time?
The third Test of the 2026 series is set for October 27 at Newlands, Cape Town, which will be Australia’s first appearance at that venue since the 2018 scandal. Several members of that touring party are part of the current squad. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon were all present at Newlands eight years ago and remain available for this series. Matthew Renshaw, who was flown in as a replacement during the final stages of the 2018 tour, has also returned to the setup.
Smith, who led Australia during that ill‑fated series, now serves as Pat Cummins’ vice‑captain. Warner retired from international cricket after the 2023‑24 season, while Bancroft’s last Test appearance came more than six years ago. The Sandpapergate episode has received considerably more column space in the Australian press ahead of this tour than it has in South African media, where coverage has been comparatively muted.
What is the context for the series itself?
The three‑Test series begins at Kingsmead in Durban on October 9, 2026, with play starting at 9:30 CAT, which is 1:00 PM IST. The second Test follows on October 18 at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, before the series moves to Newlands for the finale on October 27.
South Africa arrive as reigning World Test Championship champions after defeating Australia in last year’s WTC final at Lord’s. Australia, currently ranked number one in the WTC standings, are targeting points in the 2025‑27 cycle. SuperSport’s promo, playful in tone, has nonetheless sharpened the backdrop for what is already a keenly anticipated contest between two of the leading Test nations.
