UPDATE – YOU CAN SEE A VIDEO OF THE EXACT MOMENT QUINTON DE KOCK CHIRPED WARNER’S WIFE HERE.

The Proteas four-test series against the Ozzies was always going to be a heated affair, but things have really escalated over the past 24 hours.

Yesterday we saw the video of the altercation between Quinton de Kock and David Warner, and speculation immediately turned to what was said between the two.

Given that Warner has a rap sheet longer than the Proteas tail, the general consensus was that the opening batsman was being a twat.

If you missed that one you can read all about it here, but we’ll drop the video below anyway:

After the video spread across the cricketing world at a rate of knots, captains Faf du Plessis and Steve Smith came to the defence of their respective players.

Via NewsAU, here’s what led to the altercation:

A claim later emerged on Monday night that de Kock’s personal slur directed at Warner was in response to Warner first crossing the line with a series of personal attacks directed at the South African keeper as he was trying to save the game with his bat in the second innings…

The Proteas are privately alleging that Warner referenced de Kock’s sister and mother in some verbals.

Separate reports claim the South African camp also briefed local media that Warner called de Kock a “bush pig”.

A further report from South Africa’s Independent Media — the first news site to publish the leaked CCTV footage from Durban — claims Warner “led an hour long attack on the field” as de Kock and opener Aiden Markram frustrated the Aussie attack on their way to eventually winning the series opener on day five.

So Warner lashed out when his wife was chirped, but he first sledged Quinny about his mother and sister? Classic case of not being able to take your own medicine, it seems.

Quinny’s sister wasn’t very impressed, either:

Steve Smith lay the blame squarely at Quinton’s feet, whilst Faf was more diplomatic. This via CricBuzz:

“I heard there was a lot of personal stuff on the field already. To and from,” said du Plessis. “Who started it, I don’t know. If it was happening on the field, it probably should have been nipped in the bud on the field already.”

Smith contested that, saying: “I think we were certainly very chirpy on the field as well. As far as I am aware we didn’t get personal with Quinton”.

No one is really buying that line, because anyone who has ever played against Warner can tell you firsthand how he loves to run his mouth. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has his sources:Actually, those who played against Warner at every level of the game have a story to tell:

Top bloke.

Here’s a quick look at some of his past transgressions via Cricinfo:

Oct 2017: The Ashes “war” and finding the “hatred” within

In an interview with ABC Grandstand, Warner spoke about channeling his aggression during the home Ashes series. “As soon as you step on that line, it’s war. I try and look in the opposition’s eye and try and work out ‘how can I dislike this player, how can I get on top of him?’ You have to delve and dig deep into yourself to actually get some hatred about them to actually get up when you’re out there”

After widespread criticism from former players including England captain Michael Vaughan, Warner admitted his “regret” over “some of the words I used during the week”.

Feb 2014: Illegal reverse-swing accusations at AB

After South Africa levelled the three-match series at Port Elizabeth, Warner went on record to accuse South African wicketkeeper AB de Villiers of using “his glove to wipe the rough side every ball” and said Australia wanted to “bring it up with the umpires”.

The suggestion was shot down by his own team-mates and management, and the ICC fined him 15% of his match fees for a level one breach of the Code of Conduct.

Jul 2013: Another war of words with a South African wicketkeeper

During a four-day game between South Africa A and Australia A, Warner got involved in an argument with Thami Tsolekile, before the pair was separated by Vaughn van Jaarsveld, the South Africa A captain, and the umpires.

To be honest, I’m not that fond of Thami either.

Jul 2013: Joe Root and the infamous punch

Warner’s relegation to the Australia A squad was largely thanks to an incident with Joe Root at Birmingham’s Walkabout bar during the 2013 Champions Trophy

Warner punched Root after Root had taken a wig off one of the Australia players’ heads and worn it on his chin.

The list goes on – you can see it in full here.

There’s no denying that Quinton de Kock shouldn’t have chirped Warner’s wife (read about why that Sonny Bill Williams chirp angered Warner here), because the Proteas set higher standards than that, but sometimes you have to draw a line in the sand.

Let’s end with a rather ominous tweet from AB de Villiers, responding to a tweet with the video of the altercation:

Hit them where it most hurts, AB, because nothing pisses an Ozzie off more than losing.

[sources:newsau&cricbuzz&cricinfo]