South Africa wicket keeper Mark Boucher has defended his comments about Australia's players and crowds, saying he had nothing to apologise for.
In an interview published in the Wisden Cricketer magazine before Australia's tour of South Africa Boucher said he had lost respect for some players in Ricky Ponting's side.
Boucher also said the South Africans had been subjected to abuse by the Australian crowds during their recent tour.
"I'm not making any apologies for what I said, I know what I said and how I meant it," Boucher told a news conference on Tuesday.
"If people want to twist my words, that's up to them."
Boucher said players expected a hostile reception from the public when they toured other countries.
"As an international cricketer you're expected to tour different places - England can be really tough on us, particularly - and when other countries' teams tour South Africa I'm sure it's exactly the same for them," Boucher said.
"Rightly so, because that's home ground advantage, and as an international cricketer you've got to learn to deal with that.
"I never said the crowds should start abusing the Australians, but I wasn't blind to the fact that it was probably going to happen.
"We don't expect any favours when we go there, and I'm sure they don't expect any favours when they come here."
South Africa take a 2-1 lead into the fourth one-dayer in Durban on Friday. The home side need one win from the two remaining games to claim the series.
"These next two games are going to be like finals for both teams, it's do or die," Boucher said.
INSPIRATIONAL PONTING
Australia won for the first time in the series in Port Elizabeth on Sunday when captain Ricky Ponting returned from two games out because of an abdominal strain to top score with 62.
Boucher said Ponting was crucial to Australia's cause.
"In my eyes he (Ponting) is probably the best batter in the world at the moment, and he creates an aura around the Australian side," Boucher said.
"You can see it when they're on the field, when he's in charge the guys are really up for the game.
"He's a world class performer and a definite danger man in their side."
Australia all rounder Andrew Symonds is hoping to be fit after missing the first three one-dayers with a thigh strain.
"I haven't been given the all clear, but it's progressing nicely," Symonds said.
"I have been slightly frustrated and annoying in the dressing room. But there's a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now."
