South Africa would consider boycotting tours of Australia if their players continue to suffer racial abuse on the current tour, a local newspaper reported on Monday.

The Mercury, a Durban daily, quoted Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Gerald Majola as saying: "It is very serious and if it continues, yes, we would look very seriously about whether we return here for another series."

Makhaya Ntini, Garnett Kruger, Herschelle Gibbs and Ashwell Prince, who are black, were targets of racial abuse by a section of the crowd during the first test in Perth in December.

South African captain Graeme Smith demanded an apology for the abuse but it continued in other matches despite assurances from Cricket Australia that security at matches would be improved.

"It is not right when a country has a history like ours," the paper quoted Majola as saying in Perth.

"It is something we never thought we would hear about.

"The sad thing is it has continued around Australia. It hasn't just been limited to one state or one city."

South Africa play Sri Lanka in a one-day international in Perth on Tuesday.