Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has reflected on reaching out to Steve Smith with a message of support during the tumultuous 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering controversy. Du Plessis noted that Smith’s public acceptance of responsibility for the incident brought back memories of his own disciplinary ordeal in Hobart two years prior, prompting him to empathize deeply with the Australian batsman.
During a recent interview, the former Proteas skipper recounted how the global backlash quickly escalated beyond what the squad had anticipated. He admitted that while he initially believed the issue would blow over within a week, the heavy scrutiny and accusations of cheating weighed heavily on everyone involved.
Reflecting on the 2018 Cape Town Controversy
- Immediate Backlash: Faf du Plessis admitted that the South African dressing room felt nothing severe had occurred initially, but widespread media attention quickly turned the incident into a massive global controversy.
- Message of Support: The former South African captain reached out to Steve Smith immediately after the scandal broke to assure him of their backing during a difficult period.
- Hobart Parallels: The situation strongly mirrored du Plessis’s own 2016 controversy in Hobart, where he was found guilty of altering the condition of the ball using a mint’s residue.
- Mutual Respect: Du Plessis highlighted how Smith had previously defended him publicly during the Mintgate saga, choosing to take a supportive human approach despite ongoing series pressure.
Memories of Mintgate and Shared Respect
Du Plessis recalled how Steve Smith had stood by him during the 2016 tour of Australia, defending his ball-shining methods when media pressure was intense. Hearing Smith publicly state that he had played in many teams utilizing similar polishing techniques earned him immense respect within the South African camp. Because Smith had shown solidarity during his own crisis, du Plessis felt compelled to return the gesture when the Australian team faced unprecedented turmoil in Cape Town.
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