Cameron Bancroft's ball-tampering exposed during South Africa vs Australia Test

BBC Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 7, 2026, 2:28 PM

Last updated Oct 7, 2026

Cameron Bancroft's ball-tampering exposed during South Africa vs Australia Test
Summary

In March 2018, during a Test match in Cape Town, Cameron Bancroft was caught attempting to tamper with the cricket ball, leading to the infamous sandpapergate scandal that implicated Australian players Steve Smith and David Warner. The incident unfolded on live television, with directors at SuperSport noticing Bancroft's actions when an alert camera operator stayed focused on him. Reports claim he was seen rubbing the ball on his palm after tucking sandpaper in his trousers. The scandal marked a significant moment in cricket history and raised questions about player conduct and ethics. Australia is preparing for its first Test series against South Africa since this controversy.

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Key Details
  • •The incident occurred in March 2018 during a Test match in Cape Town.
  • •Bancroft was caught attempting to tamper with the ball.
  • •Steve Smith and David Warner were implicated in the scandal.
  • •The actions were exposed by alert camera operators during live coverage.
  • •Australia's upcoming Test series is their first in South Africa since the scandal.
Latest Updates
  • 2:28 PMBBC Sport — How an 'absolute fluke' exposed sandpapergate scandal
What they're saying
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How a team of South Africa camera operators discovered Australia's sandpapergate scandal as it happened.

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