South Africa captain Quinton de Kock wants to move on from David Warner altercation ahead of Australia series

South Africa captain Quinton de Kock says he has moved on from the altercation with Australia batsman David Warner during the ill-tempered 2018 Test series that culminated in the ball-tampering scandal. De Kock and Warner had to be separated after the two had a go at each other in front of their dressing rooms on the fourth day of the first Test in Durban in March 2018. Warner said at the time that De Kock made 'vile' remarks about his wife but was himself handed a fine and demerit points. It was in the next Test in Cape Town that Warner emerged as the alleged 'mastermind' behind a plot to alter the condition of the ball, for which he and captain Steve Smith were banned for a year by Cricket Australia, and Cameron Bancroft for nine months. Ahead of the three-match Twenty20 series which begins in Johannesburg on Friday, De Kock says has no bitterness towards Warner. "We haven’t had any conversations, but I think both of us have moved on," he said on Thursday. "We both just love to play the game really hard. I don’t think anything will happen, we will just carry on with the way we need to go about things. "If a player on either side decides to take an opponent on, then maybe that fierceness from both teams will reignite. But will both continue to just play the game hard." De Kock has replaced Faf du Plessis as captain across all three formats, but is pleased to have the experienced batsman back in the side after he was rested for the T20 and ODI series against England. "It’s great to have him back, he is excited about going forward now," De Kock said. "He understands he has a big role to play for us, is still seen as a leader among us and is one of our senior players in the team." Earlier, Australia batsman Steve Smith says the reception he has received in in South Africa has been "lovely". "It's nice to be back playing in South Africa," Smith said. "The last time I was here things didn't end overly well, but I’ve also got really fond memories of playing here. "Just walking into the hotel in Sandton, initially I was like, 'the last time I left here it wasn't pretty'. It wasn't the best time in my life. But I've moved on from that and learned a lot. "I've been back playing for a year now. I'm really enjoying it and I feel like I'm playing well. I'm in a nice place."

South Africa captain Quinton de Kock wants to move on from David Warner altercation ahead of Australia series

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