The second Test between Australia and South Africa at Port Elizabeth has reached a new low off the pitch with Proteas' fans allowed into the venue wearing Sonny Bill Williams' masks in an attempt to aggravate David Warner.
Despite Australia's attempts to have the masks banned from the stadium, South African officials overruled security to allow them through the gate according to Fairfax Media reports.
If that wasn't bad enough, two Cricket South Africa executives decided to take a picture with fans donning the masks clearly used to bait Warner, whose wife Candice was controversially pictured in a bathroom cubicle with the New Zealand rugby star back in 2007.
Warner has already been at the centre of controversy in this Test series after a run in with wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who allegedly taunted the Australian vice-captain about his wife, was released via CCTV.
MORE: Rabada fans flames with fiery Smith send-off
The presence of the Williams' masks are made all the worse considering Candice and Warners' two children are believed to be in attendance at the Test match.
Clive Eksteen, Cricket Sth Africa's head of commercial and marketing, and Altaaf Kazi, the organisation's head of communications, posing with Sonny Bill Williams masks on.
— Dennis Gohar (@DennisCricket_) March 9, 2018
I love how Sth Africans live in the 80s when it comes to political correctness pic.twitter.com/W20pO8PWos
Altaaf Kazi was one of the CSA executives pictured with the fans and attempted explained what happened stressing the photo didn't mean they entirely supported the masks.
"Initially security wouldn't let them in," he told Fairfax.
"We found out because (the spectators) contacted us and we then went to security and got them in.
"They said 'let's take a photo with you guys'.
"They wanted to come with them. People come in dressed as all sorts of things. We let people in with Hashim Amla beards.
"We're very clear from a stadium perspective that we monitor the behaviour and language of fans."
Cricket South Africa (CSA) released a statement on Saturday apologising to Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian cricket team.
"Cricket South Africa wishes to distance itself from the alleged action of certain officials in associating themselves with fans wearing masks representing the face of Sonny Bill Williams, which conduct is seemingly related to the Warner/De Kock incident during the opening day of the second Sunfoil Test match at St. George's Park," the statement read.
"While CSA respects the rights of its fans to represent their own points of view, CSA does not associate itself with these actions and urges all Protea supporters from refraining from being involved in distasteful or unwelcome actions that may impact the image of the sport and its supporters.
"CSA has taken immediate precautionary steps against the CSA officials allegedly involved in this incident and will follow the organisation's normal internal processes in this regard.
"'On behalf of CSA I extend my sincere apologies to the Board of Cricket Australia (CA), its officials, team management, players and their families', commented CSA President Chris Nenzani."
Off-field drama aside, Warner put in a solid first-innings display notching up 63 as Australia were bowled out for 243 on the first day of the second Test.
South Africa ended the opening day 1/39 and will be eager to bounce back after losing the first Test by 118 runs.
