World Test champions South Africa will face current championship leaders Australia in Durban on Friday, as the two sides meet in a Test series on South African soil for the first time since the controversial 2017/18 tour.
The series comes eight years after the infamous “Sandpapergate” scandal, when Australia were caught using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball during the third Test in Cape Town.
The 2017/18 series also marked South Africa’s first home Test series victory over Australia in 48 years.
South Africa head into Friday’s opening Test as reigning World Test champions after defeating Australia in last year’s final at Lord’s in London.
However, the Proteas face concerns over both their batting depth and bowling resources.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is a particular concern, having not played an official match since May. He featured in a two-day intra-squad game last weekend without reportedly suffering any problems, but batting coach Ashwell Prince said a final decision on his availability would be left as late as possible.
South Africa’s fast-bowling options have also been affected by what coach Shukri Conrad described as a “pandemic” of hamstring injuries.
The Proteas could select two specialist spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, with Durban conditions having favoured spin in recent seasons.
That would leave only one specialist fast bowler alongside left-armer Marco Jansen, potentially leaving South Africa vulnerable should they suffer another injury.
Australia will also be without batsmen Josh Inglis and Cameron Green, who are sidelined with a broken finger and abdominal injury respectively.
The visitors will have to consider the balance of their bowling attack if the Durban pitch offers assistance to the spinners.
Captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and off-spinner Nathan Lyon are the only members of Australia’s current attack who also featured in the 2017/18 series.
Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood benefited from the altered condition of the ball during that series, which helped generate significant reverse swing, particularly in the first Test in Durban. However, none of the three were implicated in the ball-tampering incident that resulted in lengthy bans for then-captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
Both teams have played down the prospect of the scandal influencing the upcoming series.
“It was a long time ago and I don’t think there is much more to add,” Cummins said ahead of the tour.
Conrad said the incident had not been discussed during South Africa’s team meetings.
“We’re hell-bent on beating them with our skills,” he said.
However, Conrad acknowledged that South African supporters could bring up the controversy when Australia take the field.
“I would like the fans to give them some stick – but respectfully so,” he said.