Steve Smith Reflects on the Impact of the 2018 Sandpaper Scandal Ahead of South Africa Return

As Steve Smith prepares to return to South Africa after eight years, he reflects on the lasting impact of the 2018 Sandpaper scandal. In a candid interview, he shares the emotional toll the incident took on him and how he has learned to cope with the memories. With the upcoming Test series on the horizon, Smith's journey highlights the challenges of facing a tumultuous past while striving for success on the cricket field. Discover more about his experiences and insights as he steps back into a country that holds both painful and transformative memories.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 17, 2026, 16:04 IST

Steve Smith's Return to South Africa After Eight Years

The notorious 2018 Sandpaper scandal remains a significant chapter in Steve Smith's career, as the seasoned Australian cricketer prepares to return to South Africa after eight years. This incident sent shockwaves through the cricketing community.

At the time, Smith was the captain of the Australian team when he, along with teammates David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, was implicated in a blatant ball-tampering scheme during the Newlands Test. This led to severe penalties and a painful hiatus from international cricket for the trio.

Smith is among five players from that original squad, joining experienced teammates like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon, as they step back onto South African soil to confront the memories of a tumultuous past.

The Emotional Toll of the Scandal

As Australia gears up for the Test series against South Africa, starting at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban on October 9, Smith reflects on the psychological impact of the Cape Town incident. In an interview with CodeSports, he shared how the memories of that time still haunt him, particularly the sound of camera flashes.

"I’m not a big fan of cameras. I get anxious around them, to be honest," Smith admitted. He recounted the traumatic experience of being informed by James Sutherland, the then Cricket Australia CEO, about his one-year ban.

"The chaos at Johannesburg Airport, being mobbed, and the press conference are moments that still flash back to me occasionally," he added.

Smith's Mental Health Journey Post-Scandal

Discussing the aftermath of the Sandpaper scandal, Smith acknowledged the immense challenges he faced, especially in the days following the incident. "It was a tough time, and my mental state was not good. I hope to never return to that place, but I have learned and moved on," the 37-year-old reflected.

"I can’t recall much about the series; I’ve tried to erase most of it from my memory," he noted.

Despite the heavy memories associated with his return to South Africa, Smith has grown accustomed to facing hostile crowds throughout his career. He believes that the overall reception has softened over the years.

Smith's Performance in South Africa

In his previous outings in South Africa, Smith has scored a total of 411 runs, which includes one century and two fifties, averaging 41.1 across 11 innings.