David Warner vs Quinton de Kock — Staircase Confrontation

During the 1st Test in Durban in 2018, David Warner and Quinton de Kock had been engaging in verbal exchanges throughout the match. The situation escalated dramatically when the teams were walking up the players' tunnel staircase at the tea break.

De Kock allegedly made comments about Warner's wife Candice, referencing her past relationship with Sonny Bill Williams. Warner completely lost his composure and charged at de Kock in the narrow staircase. Multiple teammates from both sides had to physically restrain Warner, who was furious and trying to get at de Kock. The confrontation was captured on CCTV footage and released publicly.

Warner was charged by the ICC with a Level 2 offence and was fined 75% of his match fee, plus given three demerit points. De Kock was charged with a Level 1 offence and fined 25% of his match fee. The incident set the tone for an extraordinarily hostile series that would later produce the Sandpapergate scandal at Cape Town. The toxic atmosphere between the two teams was palpable throughout the series, and the Warner-de Kock staircase incident was its opening chapter.