The South African cricket team’s battle with the Australian media has taken a physical turn after a Proteas staffer shoved a Channel Nine reporter at Adelaide Airport.

Nine Network reporter Will Crouch was pushed and shunted by two South African team staffers as he tried to question Proteas captain Faf du Plessis.

The reporter’s microphone was knocked out of his hand and he pushed back in an attempt to get to it, before he was shouldered away by Proteas security chief Zunaid Wadee.

Think this Proteas trainer has been watching too much NFL. Very aggressive pass-blocking as @WillCrouch9 tries to interview @faf1307 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/SlAf4GgHDW

— nathan stitt (@nathanjstitt) November 21, 2016

Du Plessis has recently been embroiled in a ball-tampering controversy after footage emerged of him applying saliva to a cricket ball while sucking a mint during the second Test against Australia in Hobart.

It resulted in the South African team circling the wagons as they sought to defend their stand-in captain after going 2-0 up in the three Test series in convincing fashion.

Moments later, same staff member puts @WillCrouch9 into a glass door @abcgrandstand #ausvsa pic.twitter.com/euHszgRSfH

— nathan stitt (@nathanjstitt) November 21, 2016

The Adelaide Airport incident is the second in just two days involving Proteas staff after an altercation with another Channel Nine reporter over the weekend in Melbourne.

Du Plessis was approached by Nine’s Corey Norris in Melbourne before the reporter was confronted by a team security guard, who placed an arm against the journalist’s neck.

Disappointed.. such provocative behaviour from reporters.Let a man walk in peace.Ask with manners n courtesy and u prob will get a response.

— hashim amla (@amlahash) November 21, 2016

Sad that this is what our tour has come to. https://t.co/ILrWckVw75

— JP Duminy (@jpduminy21) November 21, 2016