Kagiso Rabada has refused to get drawn into the renewed controversy surrounding the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal, insisting that the issue is for Australian cricket to address. The South African fast bowler’s comments come after former Australia batter Usman Khawaja reignited the debate through allegations in his autobiography, Sabr. Speaking at a press conference in Johannesburg on Friday, Rabada made it clear that South Africa had no reason to involve itself in the latest developments. He also avoided commenting on the credibility of Khawaja’s claims, which have once again brought the infamous Newlands incident into the spotlight.

“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,” Kagiso Rabada said. Rabada was among the standout performers during the 2018 Test series between South Africa and Australia, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps at an impressive average of 19.26. However, the cricketing action was overshadowed by the ball-tampering scandal that emerged during the third Test at Newlands, Cape Town.

In his autobiography, Khawaja has alleged that three South African players were also involved in ball-tampering during the series. His claims have reopened questions about whether the incident was limited to the three Australian players who were punished or whether others were aware of similar practices.

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The latest controversy has also placed Australia captain Pat Cummins under scrutiny. Pat Cummins was part of the Australian squad in 2018 and has strongly rejected Khawaja’s suggestion that the entire team knew about the plan to tamper with the ball. Usman Khawaja had told Nine that knowledge of the incident extended beyond the three players who faced sanctions. According to his claims, batters, bowlers and members of the support staff were all aware of what was happening.

Cummins dismissed the allegation, maintaining that the wider group had no knowledge of sandpaper being taken onto the field. He described Khawaja’s claims as “complete and utter nonsense”. The Sandpapergate scandal erupted during the third Test between Australia and South Africa in March 2018. Television cameras captured Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball in an attempt to generate reverse swing.

South Africa cannot afford to let their recent success against Australia lead to complacency – Kagiso Rabada https://t.co/9w6Ycsr0M6

— Eyewitness News (@ewnupdates) November 14, 2026

Following an investigation, Cricket Australia found then captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Bancroft guilty of their involvement in the plan. Smith and Warner were handed 12-month suspensions, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban.

Khawaja’s recent allegations have prompted calls for the matter to be examined again. They have also brought renewed attention to reverse swing, a skill that has featured less prominently in Test cricket since the Newlands controversy. Rabada admitted that he had not followed the discussion closely. However, he offered a possible explanation for the apparent decline of reverse swing, pointing towards the nature of pitches in recent matches. “We’ve been playing on quite a few green tops. So the ball hasn’t had an opportunity to reverse,” he said.

South Africa have also experienced their own ball-tampering controversies. Former captain Faf du Plessis was found guilty of ball-tampering during Tests against Pakistan in 2013 and Australia in 2016. Vernon Philander was also sanctioned following an incident during a Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2014.

While the Sandpapergate debate continues, Rabada is concentrating on making a strong return to international cricket after dealing with injury concerns. South Africa are preparing to face Bangladesh in a Test series beginning at the Wanderers on Sunday.

The 31-year-old missed the opening Test against Australia at Kingsmead before returning for the second and third matches. He now hopes to regain his rhythm and help South Africa strengthen their position in the World Test Championship race. “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.

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Rabada also believes the time away from the game gave him an opportunity to focus on other areas of his development. “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 added.

The experienced pacer expects Bangladesh to offer a competitive challenge, especially considering their recent performances. He is also looking forward to playing at the Wanderers and stressed that South Africa cannot afford to underestimate their opponents. “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,” Rabada said.