Steve Smith opens up on concussion scare after Nortje bouncer in Durban Test
Synopsis
Steve Smith has revealed the anxiety he felt after being struck by an Anrich Nortje bouncer in Durban — not just from the blow itself, but from the fear of reliving his past concussion and vertigo episodes. That Smith could openly discuss the psychological weight of a head knock, while still passing every test and returning to the slips the next day, underlines just how fine the line is between fitness and fragility for one of cricket's best Test batters.
Key Takeaways
Steve Smith was struck on the helmet by a Anrich Nortje bouncer during Day 4 of the first Test between Australia and South Africa in Durban .
Smith did not field on Day 4 but passed all concussion protocols and returned to the slips on Day 5 as Australia won the match.
Smith admitted he was 'a little bit anxious' after the blow, citing his prior history with concussion and vertigo.
He has a documented history of concussion-related issues, including at the SCG in February 2022 , the ODI World Cup 2023 , and the Adelaide Ashes Test .
Smith was cleared to play the second Test at St George's Park, Gqeberha , which began on 18 October .
Australia's veteran batter Steve Smith has broken his silence on the concussion scare he suffered after being struck on the helmet by a bouncer from South Africa's Anrich Nortje during Day 4 of the first Test in Durban, admitting he was 'a little bit anxious' following the blow. Smith made the remarks on 18 October ahead of the delayed start of Day 1 of the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park, Gqeberha.
What Happened in Durban
Smith was struck by a Nortje bouncer during Day 4 of the first Test and continued batting after the team physio checked on him. However, he did not take the field when Australia bowled later that day. He returned to his position in the slips on Day 5, as Australia went on to record a commanding victory in the opening Test.
Smith's Own Words on the Anxiety
'I was a little bit anxious to be honest after the hit,' Smith told broadcasters ahead of the second Test. 'I've had a few in the past and had a few concussions. And I really don't like the way that makes me feel. And I think just the anxiety around it after I got hit.'
Smith acknowledged that the rest of Day 4 had been difficult, attributing his discomfort more to psychological anxiety than a confirmed concussion. 'It was a decent knock. And yeah, the rest of that day I wasn't travelling too well. And I think it was more to do with anxiety of hoping not to feel the way that I've felt in the past waking up the next morning and things like that,' he explained. He added that he ultimately passed all concussion protocols and recovered quickly.
Smith's Troubled History With Concussion and Vertigo
Steve Smith has a well-documented history of concussion and vertigo-related issues. He experienced vertigo symptoms after landing heavily on his head during a T20I between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in February 2022. During the ODI World Cup 2023, Smith again suffered vertigo and missed Australia's group-stage match against Afghanistan. Most recently, he was ruled out of the Adelaide Ashes Test against England minutes before the toss due to similar issues, underlining the recurring nature of his condition.
Cleared for the Second Test
Having passed all requisite medical assessments, Smith was available and ready to feature in the second Test at St George's Park. His availability is a significant boost for Australia, given his stature as one of the team's premier run-scorers and a match-winner in Test conditions. The second Test began after a delayed start, with the outcome of the series still very much in the balance following Australia's first-Test win.
For a batter who has already navigated concussion protocols multiple times, Smith's candid admission of post-incident anxiety adds a human dimension to what is increasingly a structural concern for cricket's governing bodies around player welfare and head-injury management.
Point of View
That anxiety rather than physical symptoms was the dominant experience, points to a psychological burden that cricket's concussion protocols do not currently measure. That a batter of his calibre still plays through this recurring vulnerability raises a broader question: at what point does 'cleared to play' become insufficient if the player himself is bracing for a downward spiral each time he takes a blow?
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Steve Smith in the Durban Test?
Steve Smith was struck on the helmet by a bouncer from South Africa's Anrich Nortje during Day 4 of the first Test in Durban. He continued batting after a physio check, sat out fielding on Day 4, but passed all concussion protocols and returned to the slips on Day 5 as Australia won.
Why was Steve Smith anxious after being hit?
Smith explained that his anxiety stemmed from his prior history with concussion and vertigo, not necessarily from the severity of the current blow. He said he feared waking up the next morning feeling the way he had in past concussion episodes, but ultimately recovered quickly and passed all required tests.
What is Steve Smith's history with concussion and vertigo?
Smith has experienced multiple concussion and vertigo-related setbacks. He suffered vertigo after a head knock during a T20I against Sri Lanka at the SCG in February 2022, missed a match against Afghanistan during the ODI World Cup 2023 due to vertigo, and was ruled out of the Adelaide Ashes Test against England minutes before the toss with similar symptoms.
Is Steve Smith fit to play the second Test against South Africa?
Yes. Smith passed all concussion protocols after the Durban incident and was available and fit for the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park in Gqeberha, which started on 18 October.
Where is the second Test between Australia and South Africa being played?
The second Test is being played at St George's Park in Gqeberha, South Africa. Play was subject to a delayed start on Day 1, which fell on 18 October.
