It has been more than four years since Australia was caught ball-tampering during a Test match against South Africa.
In the next four weeks, the two sides will meet in red ball cricket for the first time since that tumultuous series in 2018.
With a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, it promises to be another tough competition.
Australia is currently on top of the WTC table and South Africa is second. The hosts will go into the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, starting on Saturday, knowing that a 3-0 series sweep will book their place at the Oval in June.
For the Proteas, it’s not as straightforward, but a successful tour will boost their chances significantly.
The hosts have eliminated the West Indies in just two Tests and should be able to recall captain Pat Cummins after his recent quadriceps injury.
Fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out with a side strain, although head coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that Scott Boland will join Cummins and Mitchell Starc as front-line seamers.
Marnus Libeschen scored 204, 104* and 163 against Windies and Steve Smith returned to form with an unbeaten 200 in Perth – although he has not scored against South Africa since his first Test against them in 2014. Has not scored a century.
Like Smith, David Warner was also banned for a year for his part in the ‘sandpaper gate’ in Cape Town and the matter has recently resurfaced, with the Australian opener appealing against the lifetime captaincy ban. After taking it back, they were also handed over after this incident.
The 36-year-old will hope that the focus remains on cricket itself during the series, particularly in the Boxing Day Test, which starts in Melbourne on December 26, as he looks to win his 100th Test cap.
Meanwhile, South Africa have not played a Test since their 2-1 series defeat by England in the summer but the seven attack of Kagiso Rabada, Enrich Nortje, Lungi Ngadi and Marco Johnson will enjoy the pace and bounce of the Australian wickets. Should be enjoyed.
Rabada and Ngidi took seven wickets in the warm-up game against the Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane, with captain Dean Elgar scoring a century in the first innings and Rasi van der Dusen scoring 95 in the second innings.
South Africa have won their last three Test series in Australia, triumphing in 2008-09, 2012-13 and 2016-17. Their last defeat came in 2005-06.
After Tests in Brisbane and Melbourne Cricket Ground, the series will conclude at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 4.
