Rabada says Sandpapergate 'not our topic' as South Africa prepare for Wanderers Test
Kagiso Rabada distanced South Africa from renewed questions about the 2018 Sandpapergate affair at a press conference in Johannesburg on Friday, saying the controversy is for Australian cricket to address as his side prepared to face Bangladesh in a Test series beginning at the Wanderers on Sunday. His remarks followed allegations in Usman Khawaja's autobiography Sabr that three South African players were involved in ball-tampering during the 2018 series against Australia.
Khawaja's claims have reopened scrutiny of the 2018 series, which Rabada finished as the leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets at an average of 19.26; the contest was overshadowed by the ball-tampering incident caught on camera during the third Test at Newlands. Television footage showed Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to alter the ball, prompting a Cricket Australia investigation that found then captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Bancroft guilty. Smith and Warner received 12-month bans while Bancroft was suspended for nine months.
Asked directly about Khawaja's allegations, Rabada said: "We're not concerned about what they have to deal with. It's not our topic to deal with. It's obviously an Australian topic. I don't see where we get involved in that." He declined to comment on the credibility of the claims or South Africa's alleged involvement when pressed by reporters.
Khawaja told Nine that knowledge of the incident extended beyond the three players who were punished, claiming "everyone in the team, including the batters, bowlers and support staff, knew what was happening." The renewed allegations have placed pressure on members of the 2018 Australian squad, including captain Pat Cummins, who strongly rejected Khawaja's suggestion that the entire team knew about the ball-tampering plan and described the claims as "complete and utter nonsense".
Khawaja's assertions have led to calls for a fresh investigation and revived discussion about reverse swing in Test cricket, a subject that has been less prominent since Newlands. Rabada said he had not followed the debate closely and pointed to pitch conditions as a possible reason for reverse swing being less common, adding: "We've been playing on quite a few green tops. So the ball hasn't had an opportunity to reverse."
South Africa have had previous ball-tampering incidents: former captain Faf du Plessis was found guilty during Tests against Pakistan in 2013 and Australia in 2016, and Vernon Philander was sanctioned for an incident during a Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2014. Those episodes were cited in coverage of the renewed allegations.
Away from the controversy, Rabada said he is focused on his comeback from injury ahead of the Bangladesh series, having missed the opening Test against Australia at Kingsmead before returning for the second and third matches. "I've been good. Obviously, I haven't played cricket for a while. It's my first time coming back. I was meant to be involved in the ODIs, so that wasn't the greatest start to the summer. But I've just been pretty chilled," he said, later adding: "I guess the injury is another way to maybe look at another opportunity to improve something else. Or to find some time away from the game." He said he wants to help South Africa strengthen their position in the World Test Championship race.
South Africa begin their Test series against Bangladesh at the Wanderers on Sunday, a fixture Rabada welcomed given Bangladesh's recent form: "In international cricket, you can't take any series for granted. There's always high stakes on every game that you play. And moving into this series against Bangladesh, they'll be heightened in their spirits, looking at the way that they've played in recent times. So it's actually exciting."