The memories of Australia’s infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal came alive once again at Newlands in Cape Town. Actually, a South African fan mocked veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon by waving a sheet of sandpaper near the boundary rope during the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday, October 27.

However, Nathan Lyon handled the moment calmly and sportingly. The Australian spinner smiled and laughed at the fan’s gesture before returning to his position, while the crowd enjoyed the incident that brought back memories of the darkest controversy in Australian cricket history.

South African fan trolls Nathan Lyon with sandpaper as the hosts post 329 in the first innings

The incident took place on the opening day of the ongoing three-match Test series decider, the Test at Newlands in Cape Town, where Australia captain Pat Cummins elected to bowl first against South Africa. The winner of the Cape Town encounter will take the trophy home.

Well, South Africa were bowled out for 329 in 82.3 overs, thanks to stunning batting performances from Aiden Markram (98) and Marques Ackerman (95). Apart from the duo, David Bedingham (50) and Marco Jansen (52) have also made valuable contributions with the bat.

Markram and Ackerman stitched a strong 158-run opening partnership, while Jansen and Rickelton added 95 runs for the seventh wicket to push South Africa past 300 against Australia in the ongoing final Test in Cape Town.

Mitchell Starc shone by taking six wickets for 73 runs in 16.3 overs. Lyon picked up two wickets for 71 runs, while Cooper Connolly and Josh Hazlewood took one wicket each. Amid this, Pat Cummins endures longest Test wicket drought since 2011 debut.

Nathan Lyon reminded of 2018 ball-tampering scandal as sandpaper taunts return in Cape Town

Speaking about the incident, a South African fan near the boundary decided to remind Nathan Lyon of the infamous Sandpapergate scandal that took place at the same venue back in 2018.

A video of the incident went viral on social media in no time, showing the Proteas fan waving sandpaper at the Australian spinner and cheekily appearing to offer it to him for an autograph.

The Australian spinner took the cheeky taunt in good humour, smiling before returning to his fielding position as the crowd burst into laughter. Amid this, Marnus Labuschagne becomes Australia's worst batter in 147 years with 48-innings century drought.

South African crowd offering sandpaper to Nathan Lyon in the Cape Town test 🤣 Imagine the hostility Steven Smith would've faced if he didn't chicken out from this test 😂😂 https://t.co/jw0G1T0l4k

— Troll Cricket (@TL_cricket) October 28, 2026

The 2018 sandpaper controversy

The gesture instantly reminded everyone of the 2018 Cape Town Test, when Australia was caught in a ball-tampering controversy that badly damaged the team's reputation. Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were banned from the game following the Sandpapergate scandal.

Smith and Warner were handed a 12-month suspension from international and domestic cricket by Cricket Australia, while Bancroft faced a nine-month ban. Bancroft was the one who was caught using sandpaper to shine the ball when the Australian bowlers were struggling to trouble Proteas batters.

Nathan Lyon was part of Australia's squad during that controversial Test series, although he was not among the players punished for the ball-tampering plan.

Sandpapergate still haunts Australia!

Eight years later, the South African crowd has not forgotten the incident and has continued to use sandpaper jokes to tease Australian players during the ongoing tour.

Smith was also embarrassed with the same gesture during the Gqeberha Test, but the former Australian skipper responded with smiles.

At Newlands, Lyon showed the same sense of humor, refusing to let the taunt affect him as the crowd revived the memories of the Sandpapergate scandal at the very venue where it all unfolded in 2018.