Former South African cricket skipper Graeme Smith has said that the passionate exchange between Australia's David Warner and South Africa's Quinton de Kock may have been a reaction to the Australian's behavior on the field. Replying to a tweet by former legendary wicket keeper batsmen Adam Gilchrist, Smith said that Warner had crossed many personal boundaries with the South Africans.

"If players are happy to give it, they have to be prepared to take it, too." Gilchrist has written that it must have been something very personal that provoked David Warner's reaction.

CCTV footage from the players tunnel at Kingsmead showed Australia vice-captain David Warner and home wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock involved in a fiery exchange as players climbed the stairwell to their dressing rooms during the tea break.

The first Test in Durban provided a major talking point on day four when star batsman de Villiers was run out by Warner and Lyon without scoring. Australia's vice-captain then unleashed a spray on centurion Aiden Markram, who was involved in the run out, while Lyon dropped the ball in the direction of de Villiers who was sprawled on the turf in trying to make his ground.

"We've got used to Davey over the years. I think the less interest you take in him the better. He can be a bit of a fool at times. It's best just to let him be." Australia won the first test by 118 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series.