The ball-tampering controversy hasn't stopped South African captain Faf du Plessis urging Australia to rethink their efforts to abandon their on-field aggression, saying it's what makes them great.
Du Plessis says he still looks forward to playing a battling Australia in Saturday's one-off Twenty20 international on the Gold Coast, saying it brought the "beast" out of him.
The Proteas skipper says there's been a big difference in the on-field chat since the sandpaper debacle in March, with a rebuilding Australia now content to let their cricket do the talking.
However, du Plessis believes Australia's in-your-face approach works for them and urges them not to "take away your strength".
He even suggests it might limit Australia if they try to become cricket's Mr Nice Guys.
"There is a transition they are going through at the moment where they are trying to build up a new culture however long that will take," he said.
"But I believe you should never take away your strength or uniqueness.
"Obviously there are laws which you can't cross but if your strength is to get inside guys' faces then use that.
"But don't become someone you are not. When guys are not authentic they are not the best cricketers they can be."
Australia have backed away from their hardline stance and adopted a good-bloke policy under new coach Justin Langer following the March ball-tampering debacle in South Africa.
Captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner copped 12-month bans and opener Cameron Bancroft a nine-month suspension for their roles, sparking a scathing review of Australia's win-at-all-costs mentality.
Du Plessis said the pleasant banter during their recent 2-1 one-day series win over Australia was a world away from what went down in their Test series in South Africa.
"There has been big difference in the way they talk in the field if you compare the two series," he said.
"Australia were probably the hardest to play against because they were the fiercest.
"The last series was like that. Especially the first one in Durban. It was a feisty one.
"Comparing that to now, you see they are obviously trying to minimise it more and let the cricket do the talking."
South Africa on Saturday are set to unleash fast bowler Chris Morris, Farhaan Behardien and Tabraiz Shamsi - the only members of the Proteas' squad who didn't feature in the ODIs.
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