Former Proteas star Faf questions CSA decision to play Aussies in Durban

South Africa were outplayed by the visitors in the opening Test match of the series, losing by 214-runs, marking their fourth consecutive victory against the hosts on the same ground.

The fixture also saw a low attendance of spectators, with just over 7500 tickets sold over the five days in a venue that has a capacity of 25000.

Ex-Proteas batsman du Plessis took to his cricinfo podcast following the first Test defeat, voicing his concern about CSA taking the match to Durban despite the home sides historical bad record at the venue.

"For me, there's a big question mark that I would like to ask the powers of South Africa, whoever makes those decisions," said du Plessis.

"When you have a record as poor as you have at Kingsmead, Durban, and when Australia has such a good record, I think they've won their last four consecutive Test matches at Durban against us, and you start your first Test there, where you say to the opposition, 'Let's start at a place where you are most comfortable in.'

"If I compare it to the other venues in South Africa - Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Wanderers - at all of those venues, South Africa, the Proteas, have a superior record. So, there's my first question that I would ask."

Du Plessis, who played in 69 Test matches, scoring 4163 runs with ten centuries and 21 fifties also expressed his displeasure with the fan attendance in Durban.

"Secondly, from a crowd perspective, Durban is also the worst viewing numbers ground in South Africa," he added.

"So, all this hype, all this amazing talk before the first Test, South Africa against Australia, iconic series, 2018 is the last time they were here.

"Now they come back, no crowd, and you look at the TV and you go, 'No, that's not good, man. I don't want to see that. I want to see a full crowd watching this big series.'"

The Proteas will look to square the series when they battle Australia at the more favourable St George's Park in Gqeberha this Sunday, a venue where they have won two of the three previous Tests against the visitors. 

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