Jacques Faul, the interim chief executive of Cricket South Africa has requested South African fans to show their “respect” to Steve Smith and David Warner as they will return to the country for the first time ever since the ball-tampering scandal took place in 2018.

“I would plead with South African fans to respect our opponents and don’t go overboard with these things (referring to Smith and Warner),” Faul told The Herald.

Both David Warner and Steve Smith, then Australia’s captain and vice-captain, were banned by Cricket Australia for 12 months and Cameron Bancroft was handed over a ban of nine months for involvement in the ball-tampering case during the Cape Town Test in March 2018.

“It’s competitive on the field, and we don’t need it. Sport in general doesn’t need that behaviour. What happened last time the behaviour was unfortunate. As much as we appreciate support and you have to acknowledge the importance of people supporting these events I can only plead that people would treat players with respect,” he added.

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Nearly two years after that infamous incident, Steve Smith and David Warner flew out to South Africa on Friday with the rest of Australia team Twenty20 squad where both the teams will play three T20Is, starting on 21 February and three ODIs during the tour as well.

They both faced booing from fans during the ICC World Cup and the high-voltage Ashes series against England last year. Faul, who stepped into the post in December after Thabang Moroe was suspended amid allegations of misconduct, warned all the fans that they would be thrown out of the ground if they misbehaved or booed any of them for the incident.

“Stupidity comes very natural to certain people,” Jacques Faul said. “If someone misbehaves it’s very tough. We have a very strict policy in terms of fan behaviour and we will evacuate people but the damage will have been done.”