South African spinner Simon Harmer anticipates a competitive but less antagonistic series when Australia begins its first Test tour to South Africa since the 2018 “Sandpapergate” scandal at Kingsmead on Friday. The previous tour to South Africa was marred by on and off-field clashes following the ball-tampering incident involving Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft. Harmer suggests that the rise of Twenty20 franchise cricket, where players from both nations frequently collaborate as teammates, has diminished the historically intense rivalry. He believes the increased interaction fostered by T20 has lessened the likelihood of the aggressive on-field behavior seen in the past. Despite this, Harmer expects Australia to be fiercely competitive, praising their resilience and never-give-up attitude, qualities he sees mirrored in South African cricket. He points to South Africa's victory over Australia in last year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s as evidence of this shared competitive spirit.