South Africa vs Australia: David Warner caught in another off-field spat, this time with a spectator

Australian batsman David Warner was involved in another unpleasant off-field incident in Australia's ongoing Test series in South Africa on Friday, with the batsman the target of abusive comments from a spectator.

A fan walked up to and directed the comments at Warner as he left the field after being dismissed on Day Two of the third Test at Newlands.

Television footage showed Warner stopping in his tracks and turning to face the man, who then appeared to continue making comments as Warner walked up the stairs toward the Australia dressing room.

File image of Australia's David Warner. AP

A security official tried to intervene but the man kept on going at Warner.

After facing the man for a few moments, Warner continued up the stairs.

The man, who was thrown out of the ground, was standing beside a small fence which separates an exclusive members' stand from the players' stairs. As Warner went up the stairs on his side, the middle-aged man, wearing a short-sleeved shirt, jeans and sunglasses, also walked up on his side and continued talking.

The fan had started by applauding Warner, sarcastically it seems, as the Australian approached. He then became abusive.

Warner, a notoriously pugnacious player, has become a target for extra attention from home fans after his confrontation with South Africa's Quinton de Kock on a stadium staircase during the first test in Durban.

That heated argument, which led to ICC disciplinary hearings and sanctions for both players, was sparked by Warner's prolonged on-field taunting of de Kock. It resulted in de Kock allegedly retorting with an unsavory comment about Warner's celebrity wife, and Warner having to be physically restrained by teammates.

Fans also attempted to taunt Warner during the second Test in Port Elizabeth by wearing masks with the face of New Zealand rugby player Sonny Bill Williams. It was in reference to a sexual encounter Warner's wife had with Williams years before she married the cricketer. Warner's wife, Candice Warner, and their two young daughters are traveling with him in South Africa.

The mask stunt had repercussions for South Africa's cricket body when two of its senior officials were photographed smiling with some of the fans wearing the masks. The two officials were suspended and face disciplinary procedures.