CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Captains Graeme Smith and Mahendra Singh Dhoni tried to smooth over any problems between South Africa and India ahead of the series-deciding third Test at Newlands, which starts today.

Smith said yesterday there was still “a lot of respect” between the teams despite the on-field confrontation involving the Proteas skipper and fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth in the second match in Durban, which India won to level the series.

The victory gave India another chance at a first-ever series win in South Africa, four years after it lost a deciding New Year Test in Cape Town for a fourth series loss in four attempts in the country.

Smith maintained Sreesanth “crossed the line” with some of his sledging in Durban, but said the matter had been dealt with after talking with Dhoni at an International Cricket Council function in Cape Town on New Year’s eve.

“It’s one individual that’s caused a few hassles… but I think both teams are mature and I think their been dealt with,” Smith said. “With myself and MS (Dhoni) last night, it’s passed and there’s a lot of respect for both teams.

“It’s going to be competitive, that’s what people want to see. No one wants to step over the mark, and I think at times it has. I think we all need to take our responsibility for playing the game in the right way.”

Dhoni told reporters soon after there were guidelines that needed to be followed with on-field aggression.

“You need to always be on the right side of that line,” he said. “It’s better if every individual is but it’s quite difficult to control Sreesanth, as we all know.

“Hopefully, he (Sreesanth) will be on the right side this time and if he is supposed to say something this time it will not be personal.”

Despite the move by both camps to move on from the incident in Durban, where Smith waved his bat angrily at the fast bowler in response to alleged personal insults, it’s likely to spice up the final game of a seesaw series.

India recovered from an innings defeat in the first Test to give theirelf another chance at a first win in South Africa. It’s likely the last chance the last for two of India’s greatest players. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, both 37, and India’s two most successful Test batsmen ever, are unlikely to tour here again.

“It’s a chance to create history,” said Dhoni. “We have got the talent and the temperament to achieve success in South Africa, but again it’s not about the past, or the last game, their about the next five days. The fact is that this is one of our best chances.

“I think the dressing room is much better now. It doesn’t mean it wasn’t good (before) but you always upgrade and I think their the best dressing room atmosphere that I have felt in the last five years. It feels a very complete dressing room.”

Smith said his team had let themselves down with the 87-run defeat in Durban, which sets up a dramatic first Test of 2011 between the No one and No two-ranked Test teams.