Justin Langer, former Australia cricket coach, has suggested that the penalties imposed on Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft over the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, known as Sandpapergate, effectively impacted the global cricket community, not just the Australian team. Speaking in Brisbane ahead of the first Test between Australia and South Africa, Langer noted that since the incident at Cape Town, reverse swing bowling—a technique where the cricket ball deviates in the air due to wear and condition—disappeared from the game worldwide, as teams became wary of ball tampering allegations.

The Cape Town Test of 2018 marked a turning point when Bancroft was caught using sandpaper on the ball, triggering a broad reluctance among players internationally to attempt reverse swing, even through legitimate methods. Langer remarked on the irony that this once “genuinely beautiful part of the game” was stigmatized by association with cheating. Former South African captain Faf du Plessis had previously described reverse swing as an enchanting aspect of cricket, with its ability to confound batsmen and produce dramatic moments.

However, a recent development during the ongoing Australian tour of South Africa has challenged this trend. In the first Test at Durban, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood successfully produced reverse swing during the second innings, utilizing legal means to rough up one side of the ball while keeping it dry despite challenging conditions. The Australian team intends to continue pursuing reverse swing in the remaining matches, although rain interruptions at the current Test in Gqeberha have complicated efforts.

The atmosphere at South African venues has been mixed. Proteas captain Temba Bavuma acknowledged local economic challenges and expressed concern about the future popularity of Test cricket in South Africa, while Australian captain Pat Cummins highlighted the quieter crowds at Durban compared to previous tours. The traditional St George’s Park Brass Band, known for energizing crowds, has become more focused on T20 matches, raising questions about Test cricket’s appeal in the region.

Off the field, Steve Smith’s career remains under the spotlight. This series marks his first Test campaign in South Africa since the Sandpapergate incident. Smith’s form has been promising, though his scores at Durban were modest. Discussions around his future remain cautious; while Smith has hinted at retiring from Tests to pursue T20 franchise opportunities and potentially compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Cummins downplayed any immediate plans for retirement. He described Smith as “in a really good place,” enjoying his cricket and contributing positively to the team.

Smith's departure from Test cricket, whenever it occurs, will mark the end of a significant era. Despite the controversies and suspensions, he remains one of Australia’s most influential players of the past decade. Meanwhile, the persistence of reverse swing bowling—once thought lost—may yet revive a cherished element of the traditional form of the game.