Cape Town - Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith has called David Warner a "fool" while adding Nathan Lyon may regret his unnecessary celebration following AB de Villiers' run out on Sunday in the opening Test at Kingsmead in Durban.
The Test provided a major talking point on Day 4 when De Villiers was run out by Warner and Lyon without scoring.
Warner then unleashed a tirade of abuse in the direction of 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.
"The Aussies were pretty fired up at that time pushing for a victory," Smith told Australia's cricket.com.au website in Durban, where Australia need just one wicket on day five for victory.
"But he (Lyon) is an experienced cricketer.
"I think he'll probably say it was unnecessary himself.
"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 best just to let him be."
Australia require just one wicket to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series after setting South Africa 417 for victory.
The Proteas are 293/9 with Quinton de Kock (81*) and Morne Morkel (0*) at the crease.
The first ball on Monday's Day 5 is due to be bowled at 10:00.
- Later in the day there was also a heated change room exchange between Warner and Quinton de Kock during the tea break, with CCTV footage showing the altercation in the tweet below:
@davidwarner31 and @QuinnyDeKock69 Verbal Exchange during Tea Break. #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/6Rr4Xkx2lQ
— Thakur (@ThakurHassam) March 4, 2018