The South African cricketers aren't the only ones to have slipped their tactics under the wrong hotel door. As our list shows, the best laid sports plans can end up lying in the wrong places.
1) Room Service
Former Australian cricket coach John Buchanan was the king of the wronghotel room door gaffes. In 2000, a Wellington hotel guest passed on the mail to a radio station which revealed the Aussies thought Stephen Fleming was a lazy early in his innings, that Chris Cairns was fragile,advice to "stick it up" Roger Twose, and the home side should be intimidated. A slow learner, a 10-page Buchanan memo was sent to the room of an English journalist in 2001. And again that year, the Aussies' plans for South Africa's great fast bowler Allan Donald got the same treatment in Melbourne, being sent to a wire service journalist. Note to self...in Buchanan's case, even that would go public.
2) State secrets
Our man Buchanan's strategy for Queensland's 1997 Sheffield Shield final tactics in Western Australia disappeared from the dressing room and ended up at a Perth radio station. A TV spoof had a burger flipper asking a customer: "Would you like a Queensland plan with your French fries?"
Baggygate, 2003. Buchanan attacked his players' attitude, describing Australia's batting against India as soul-less and accusing them of becoming distracted by "deal-making". No surprise, this goes public somehow.
No, not sledging. In 2009, a British journo found England's team list on a scrunched-up piece of paper in a rubbish bin. The whole world got to know that Jonathan Trott was in and Ravi Bopara out two days early for the Ashes cricket test at Trent Bridge.
5) Breathtaking cheek
The All Blacks' whiteboard was on view during a press visit to their team hotel in London in 2013, and a naughty Brit relayed the info to the world. The All Blacks' self-help messages included advice to "concentrate on your breathing". But wait, there's more. "We are playing England - this is about history, about human nature. We are the most dominant team in the history of the world." And: "On Saturday don't moan, even to yourself." In typically, dry Steve Hansen-speak, the coach gave his outfit an uppercut for allowing the inner sanctum to be exposed. He moaned a tiny bit, lamenting the breach of trust.
6) When photographers snap
A hotel-free case. A photographer from one of the NZRU's licensed agencies couldn't resist, when he spotted All Blacks coach Graham Henry holding a bit of paper with team tactics and diagrams on it at a training run in Melbourne, 2010. The Melbourne-based, Christchurch-born photographer was banned from future media sessions. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was amused "because it was a Kiwi photographer."
All Blacks coach Graham Henry holds his training notes during an All Blacks training session in 2010. Photo / Getty Images.
7) Inside knowledge
The so-called Proteas Files was obtained by a newspaper, revealing Australia's tactics for South African players before the Brisbane cricket test three years ago. Each player was analysed on their strengths and vulnerability. It revealed which players the Aussies would go after using "psychological war" while others such as Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen were described as "hard" and "mentally very strong". Australia were guided by a former South African coach Mickey Arthur at the time.
