Faf ready for hostile reception in Australia

Proteas’ undertake first trip to since ball-tampering issue

South African captain Faf du Plessis said his team are braced for a hostile reception from supporters and the media when they travel to play their “favourite” opposition Australia in a limited-overs tour next month.

It will be South Africa’s first trip Down Under since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa earlier this year, when Australia captain Steve Smith, and batsmen David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, received bans from Cricket Australia. The Australian team bemoaned the treatment they received from South African supporters during that Test tour and Du Plessis said his side would likely face a backlash.

“Australia is our favourite team to play against, all the stuff that comes with playing them, on and off the field, I love that and I feel that brings the best out of us as a team,” Du Plessis said on Tuesday.

“It will be nice and hostile. We are not expecting anything less. Zunaid our security officer has been working hard in the gym. We expect them to try and unsettle us as a team when it comes to the media space, obviously with myself being at the forefront of it, but we see it as part and parcel of touring Australia.”