WATCH: Shocking scenes at OR Tambo as Steve Smith needs police escort

Cape Town - It's been a surreal 24 hours for former Australia skipper Steve Smith following the ball-tampering bombshell.

CONFIRMED: Warner the man behind #SandpaperGate

Cricket Australia's CEO James Sutherland on Tuesday sent Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft home during the on-going Test series against South Africa after being found guilty of ball-tampering during the third Test at Newlands.

It was then confirmed on Wednesday that Smith and Warner had been banned from international and domestic cricket for a year, while Bancroft has copped nine months.

In addition, the pair who were initially retained by their respective Indian Premier League franchises, will not participate in the 2018 edition.

READ: A look at the 48 matches banned Smith, Warner will miss

On his way through OR Tambo International airport, Smith was seen escorted by several policemen and ambushed by the onlookers and some media.

He is reportedly expected to make a press conference once he lands at Sydney International airport on Thursday.

One of Australia’s greatest ever cricketers who made a shocking error in judgement now being ushered through an airport like a convicted drug mule.

Regardless of your opinion of him, you can’t look at this image and say you don’t feel slightly bad for Steve Smith. I know I do. pic.twitter.com/FWyZK6XIjk

— Theo Doropoulos (@TheoDrop) March 28, 2018