Warner sparks fresh controversy over 'ball tampering'

David Warner is under fire again after South Africa reportedly complained about the way he was treating the ball on day two in Port Elizabeth.

The Aussie star could be seen with heavy strapping on his hands on Saturday as he was fielding in South Africa's first innings.

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Warner is in charge of shining the ball for the tourists, and was using a heavily taped left hand to rub the ball on his pants.

According to respected cricket writer Peter Lalor, South African batsmen complained to umpires about it.

"[Warner] has been accused in the middle by the opposition of tampering with ball," Lalor wrote for News Corp.

"Questions will be asked. Watch this space."

Fans also spotted Warner's strapping and took to social media in anger.

It's the latest controversy involving Warner and comes just hours after Cricket South Africa (CSA) officials were forced to apologise for a photograph showing two of its officials posing with fans wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks.

An image emerged on Saturday of Clive Eksteen and Altaaf Kazi grinning with three supporters, who donned the masks in an oafish attempt to taunt Warner.

Eksteen is CSA's head of commercial and marketing, while Kazi is the body's head of communications.

CSA is probing the matter. Both officials are under investigation for associating themselves with the unsavoury attempt to embarrass Warner and wife Candice, who had attended day one at St George's Park with the couple's two children.

"On behalf of CSA, I extend my sincere apologies to the board of Cricket Australia (CA), its officials, team management, players and their families," CSA president Chris Nenzani said in a statement.

Candice had a tryst more than 10 years ago with Williams.

"CSA does not associate itself with these actions and urges all Protea supporters from refraining from being involved in distasteful or unwelcome actions that may impact the image of the sport and its supporters," the sporting body said.

It was a remark from Quinton de Kock during the first Test about Warner's wife that ignited a fit of rage, with the vice-captain later dubbing that comment "vile and disgusting".

Cricket Australia is understood to be furious with the conduct of Eksteen and Kazi, stunned that officials would be OK with the low-brow actions of supporters.

The masks were banned initially by venue security, but CSA overruled that order on Friday. The masks have since been banned again.

Warner and de Kock were both fined after their ugly bust-up in Durban and the two teams have been warned by the match referee to keep their tempers in check.

Warner was also slapped with three demerit points after being charged by the ICC with bringing the game into disrepute.

It means the opener will automatically cop a suspension if charged by the ICC during the next two years.

with AAP