Last night, the Cricket South Africa Board chairman and two directors had a word with the men’s Proteas team and management to discuss the Board’s directive regarding “taking the knee”. The Board representatives clarified the their position and engaged with the issues raised by the players.
“Following the meeting, the Proteas men’s team agreed to align and unify in taking the knee for the remaining fixtures of the World Cup campaign. CSA has also noted the statement issued by Quentin de Kock in which he too has agreed to take the knee and issued an apology,” said CSA in an official statement.
“The CSA is fully supportive of the Proteas Men’s team and its captain Temba Bavuma and looks forward to continued successes by the Proteas at the World Cup,” it added.
Cricket South Africa has welcomed all of these developments. “Taking a united stance against racism is a moral issue, not a political issue. The CSA Board regrets that the timing of its directive earlier this week may have been unsettling for the players in the lead-up to the match against the West Indies,” said the board.
Earlier, Quinton de Kock explained his reasons for not taking the knee ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup game against West Indies.
“I would like to start by saying sorry to my teammates, and the fans back home. I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue. I understand the importance of standing against racism, and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example. If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so,” said de Kock in an official statement released by Cricket South Africa (CSA).
