The

South African cricket team The South Africa national cricket team, also known as the Proteas, represents South Africa in men's international cricket and is administered by Cricket South Africa (CSA). South Africa is a full member of the International Cricket Council (I ...

toured Australia in November 2016 to play three Test matches. South Africa won the series 2–1, with victories in Perth and Hobart. In April 2016,

Cricket Australia Cricket Australia (CA), formerly known as the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), is the governing body for professional and amateur cricket in Australia. It was originally formed in 1905 as the 'Australian Board of Control for International Crick ...

(CA) suggested that the third Test at the

Adelaide Oval Adelaide Oval is a sports ground in Adelaide, South Australia, located in the parklands between the city centre and North Adelaide. The venue is predominantly used for cricket and Australian rules football, but has also played host to rugby le ...

could be played as a day/night match, but there was some reluctance from the South African cricketers. In June, CA confirmed that the Adelaide Test would be played as a day/night game. Prior to the series, both teams played practice day/night matches. South Africa played 2 two-day day/night warm-up fixtures at the Adelaide Oval and the Melbourne Cricket Ground in preparation for the day-night Test match. Following the conclusion of the second Test, footage emerged of South Africa's captain

Faf du Plessis Francois "Faf" du Plessis ( ; born 13 July 1984) is a South African professional cricketer and former captain of the South Africa national cricket team. He is considered one of the greatest fielders of all time and is among the best all-forma ...

apparently shining the ball using a sweet in his mouth. He was charged by the

International Cricket Council The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the world governing body of cricket. Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, its members are 108 national associations, with 12 Full Members and 96 Associate Members. Founded in 1909 as the ' ...

(ICC) for ball tampering and pled not-guilty.

Hashim Amla Hashim Mahomed Amla OIS (born 31 March 1983) is a South African former international cricketer who played for South Africa in all three formats of the game. Amla holds the record for being the fastest ever to score 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 ...

said that the situation was "ridiculous" and "a joke". It was suggested that a hearing would take place after the conclusion of the third Test, as

Cricket South Africa Cricket South Africa (CSA) is the governing body for both professional and amateur cricket in South Africa. In 1991, the separate South African Cricket Union and the South African Cricket Board merged to form the United Cricket Board of South Afr ...

(CSA) had engaged legal representation for du Plessis. However, on 22 November, du Plessis was found guilty of ball tampering, fined his match fee from the Hobart Test, but was allowed to play in the Adelaide Test. After du Plessis was found guilty he said he disagreed with the verdict stating "I felt like I have done nothing wrong". Du Plessis appealed the charge, but that was rejected on 21 December 2016. The initial penalties of losing his match fee and getting three demerit points stood, but he was not punished with a one-match ban.

Squads

Dale Steyn Dale Willem Steyn (; born 27 June 1983) is a South African former professional cricketer who played for the South African Cricket Team. He is often regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and the best Test bowler of his generat ...

suffered a shoulder injury during the first Test and was ruled out of the rest of the series.

Dwaine Pretorius Dwaine Pretorius (born 29 March 1989) is a former South African international cricketer who currently plays in various T20 leagues around the globe and for North West in domestic cricket as a bowling all-rounder. He announced his retirement from ...

was added to South Africa's squad to replace Steyn. Joe Burns and

Callum Ferguson Callum James Ferguson (born 21 November 1984) is a former Australian cricketer and commentator who has represented Australia in all three forms of international cricket. He also represented South Australia in the JLT One-Day Cup. He was former ...

were added to Australia's squad for the second Test, while

Shaun Marsh Shaun Edward Marsh (born 9 July 1983) is an Australian cricketer who plays for the Western Australia cricket team in Australian domestic cricket and has represented Australia in all three formats. Nicknamed SOS ("Son of Swampy"), he is a left-h ...

was ruled out with a broken finger.

Peter Siddle Peter Matthew Siddle (born 25 November 1984) is an Australian cricketer. He is a specialist right-arm fast-medium bowler who currently plays for Tasmania in first-class and List A cricket and for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. ...

was ruled out due to a back injury and

Jackson Bird Jackson Munro Bird (born 11 December 1986) is an Australian international cricketer. He has played for Australia in the past and currently plays first-class cricket for Tasmania. Bird is a fast-medium bowler. He is originally from Sydney and wa ...

was added to Australia's team as cover for him. For the third Test of the tour, Australia added

Matt Renshaw Matthew Thomas Renshaw (born 28 March 1996) is an Australian international cricketer. He played eleven Tests for Australia between 2016 and 2018 as an opening batsman, and was recalled to the Test team in 2023. In domestic first-class cricket ...

Peter Handscomb Peter Stephen Patrick Handscomb (born 26 April 1991) is an Australian cricketer who is the current captain for the Victoria cricket team. He plays as a middle-order batsman and occasional wicketkeeper. Handscomb has played for Australia in Te ...

Nic Maddinson Nicolas James Maddinson (born 21 December 1991) is an Australian cricketer. He is a left-handed opening batter who has represented Australia in both Test matches and Twenty20 Internationals. Domestically he plays for the Victoria cricket team a ...

, Chadd Sayers and

Matthew Wade Matthew Scott Wade (born 26 December 1987) is an Australian cricketer. He has represented the Australian national team as wicket-keeper and batsman in all three forms of international cricket. He plays domestic cricket for the Tasmanian cricke ...

to their squad. Joe Burns,

Peter Nevill Peter Michael Nevill (born 13 October 1985) is an Australian former cricketer who played 17 Tests and 9 T20 internationals for Australia. He also represented New South Wales and the Melbourne Stars, having previously played for the Melbourne R ...

and Joe Mennie were all dropped, while Adam Voges was ruled out with concussion.

Tour matches

Two-day: Cricket Australia XI vs South Africa XI

Two-day: South Australia XI vs South Africa XI

50-overs: Victoria XI vs South Africans

Test series

1st Test

2nd Test

3rd Test

References

External links

Series home at ESPN Cricinfo
{{DEFAULTSORT:South African cricket team in Australia in 2016-17 2016 in Australian cricket 2016 in South African cricket International cricket competitions in 2016–17 South African cricket tours of Australia 2016–17 Australian cricket season