HARARE South African captain AB de Villiers says Australia's sledging cricketers can't expect the Proteas to want to be mates with them off the field.

De Villiers admits there was "lots of personal stuff" said by Michael Clarke's side in their fiery Test series won 2-1 by Australia earlier this year, and some players in the South African squad weren't impressed.

AB de Villiers draws the line on sledging. Credit:Getty Images

When told Clarke had personally apologised for some of his heated on-field comments in the aftermath to the epic third Test in Cape Town, de Villiers quipped: "I didn't know about that, but apology accepted."

However he went on to indicate that the 'what happens on the field stays on the field' code so often trotted out by sportsmen doesn't necessarily apply when it comes to South Africa's attitude towards the current Australian side.