{
  "id": 7988233,
  "title": "Haunted by Sandpapergate, Steve Smith prepares for dramatic South African Test return",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/haunted-by-sandpapergate-steve-smith-prepares-for-dramatic-south",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T08:44:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/cricket/2026-09-17-haunted-by-sandpapergate-steve-smith-prepares-for-dramatic-south-african-test-return/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Steve Smith, the former Australia skipper, is preparing for his first Test series in South Africa after being haunted by the 2018 Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal. The incident saw Smith banned for a year and sacked as captain. Despite the trauma, the prolific batsman, now 37, remains undaunted and focused on his return to South Africa for the first Test in Durban on October 9. Smith, who has also faced hostile crowds in England, remains unfazed, using the experience as motivation to perform well.",
  "summary": "Steve Smith reveals ongoing trauma and anxiety eight years after the infamous Sandpapergate scandal, as the former Australian skipper returns to South Africa for a dramatic Test series.",
  "key_points": [
    "Steve Smith preparing for South Africa Test series",
    "2018 Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal haunts Smith",
    "Smith set to return to South Africa on October 9"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}