The commentary at the start of the Proteas T20 World Cup clash with West Indies has fuelled speculation that Quinton de Kock’s withdrawal from the team is due to the CSA directive that all players must “take the knee”.
ALSO READ: CSA instructs Proteas to take a knee for BLM
On the eve of South Africa’s all-important second T20 World Cup match, a CSA statement said a unanimous board decision had been handed down for all Proteas players and management to adopt a consistent and united stance against racism by ‘taking the knee’ before the start of their remaining matches.
Prior to the start of the match against the West Indies, it was then revealed that De Kock had withdrawn from the team for “personal reasons”.
As the match got under way, well-known commentator Pommie Mbangwa and Daren Sammy both alluded to the possibility that De Kock’s withdrawal was related to the instruction to take a knee.
It has set social media alight, with Quinton de Kock quickly trending on Twitter.
CONFIRMED: Quinton de Kock withdraws from Proteas T20 World Cup match over ’having to take the knee’ https://t.co/eGIKliOl5L
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) October 26, 2021
Such a powerful opening segment from Sammy and Pommie Mbangwa. How must de Kock’s team-mates feel?
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) October 26, 2021
It is so painful, as a South African of colour, to see how divided our national cricket side is. We spent generations being told we were second-class and here is a genuine opportunity to stand together and we don’t. People with our skin matter. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/x7pJJEJauC
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) October 26, 2021
When Quinton de Kock was asked about not kneeling after scoring a Test 100 against the West Indies earlier this year.https://t.co/Bi36GjJFU1
— Khanyiso Tshwaku (@kaymorizm) October 26, 2021
That’s exactly how I have interpreted the commentators discussions around it.
I’m sure a statement of sorts will be sent out to say that’s NOT the case
But the commentators have all but said it is. https://t.co/J0m9VYbqcw
— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) October 26, 2021
It is so painful, as a South African of colour, to see how divided our national cricket side is. We spent generations being told we were second-class and here is a genuine opportunity to stand together and we don’t. People with our skin matter. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/x7pJJEJauC
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) October 26, 2021
Pommie saying it straight over the mic. Good to hear #T20WorldCup
— Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) October 26, 2021
There it is, #SouthAfrica team members all took the knee before the first ball was bowled vs #WestIndies.#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/UW4xwB5NCf
— Tiisetso Malepa (@TiisetsoMalepa) October 26, 2021
Now the commentators saying “we can’t speculate what the personal reasons are” – but continuing to elude to the fact that it has to do with CSA’s directive that all Proteas players will take the knee before every match. #T20WorldCup
— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) October 26, 2021
Proteas without Quinton de Kock for today’s #T20WorldCup match with the West Indies
He’s made himself unavailable for personal reasons.Commentators claiming de Kock’s decision has to do with directive from CSA that all players will take the knee.
— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) October 26, 2021
