South Africa captain Dean Elgar predicts a spicy Test series with Australia but says there is no bad blood or animosity towards the hosts.

Former Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis claimed in his recent autobiography that Australia had tampered with the ball in the first Test of the 2018 series, two Tests before the Sandpapergate controversy exploded in Capetown.

Australian players have since denied the claims publicly only for ex-Australian captain Tim Paine to write in his autobiography that a South African player had dug his fingernails into the ball in the fourth Test in Johannesburg and that domestic broadcasters had covered up the incident.

Elgar, speaking in Brisbane ahead of the first Test which starts at the Gabba on December 17, was asked about any "lingering animosity" towards Australia from 2018 after the du Plessis book release.

"None at all. It was a very tough time for all of us even though we weren't the guys that got the brunt of everything, but we were part of that," he said.

"I personally don't hold any animosity towards the players that were involved or Cricket Australia. They were unfortunate scenes but that period has long elapsed and we have moved forward as a group."

Elgar said he wished things in 2018 could have been "a lot different".

"The history between South Africa and Australia when it comes to Test cricket is so rich. The competitive nature is very similar," he said.

"We both want to go out and play a brand of cricket that our countries are proud of.

"It was extremely juicy, even building up to that game in Capetown. It was interesting times, let's put it that way, and hopefully it has been put to bed now.

"It was sad to see those events unfold but I am pretty sure on the field there is always a bit of spice. We love playing against Australia. We have a deep respect for Australian cricket.

"Hopefully we can put on a big spectacle."

Steve Smith and David Warner received bans for their part in Sandpapergate but Elgar said he had no beef with the pair ahead of the three-Test series.

"I definitely don't have any bad blood towards them," Elgar said.

"What is in the past is in the past. I don't hold any grudges whatsoever. Both Smith are Warner are two cricketers I've played against for over a decade."

South Africa will play a four-day game against a Cricket Australia XI at Allan Border Field starting on Friday.