Quinton De Kock has apologised to his South Africa teammates and the country back home after withdrawing from their T20 World Cup game against the West Indies because of a direction to take the knee.
De Kock issued a lengthy statement on Thursday, two days after rebuffing the directive from Cricket South Africa which stated all players must take part in the anti-racism gesture for the rest of the tournament.
“I would like to start by saying sorry to my team-mates, and the fans back home,” he said, adding he “would love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again”.
“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.”
De Kock went on to explain that matters relating to race are close to his heart as some of his family members are non-white, but he felt his own “rights” were taken away by CSA’s order and were only disclosed to him on the morning of the game.
“I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion and anger that I have caused,” he added.
“For those who don’t know, I come from a mixed-race family. For me, black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement.
“The rights and equality of all people is more important than any individual. I was raised to understand that we all have rights, and they are important.
“I felt like my rights were taken away when I was told what we had to do in the way that we were told.
“Since our chat with the board last night, which was very emotional, I think we all have a better understanding of their intentions as well.
“I wish this had happened sooner, because what happened on match day could have been avoided.”
De Kock added: “If I was racist, I could easily have taken the knee and lied, which is wrong and doesn’t build a better society. Those who have grown up with me and played with me, know what type of person I am.
“I’ve been called a lot of things as a cricketer but those didn’t hurt. Being called a racist because of a misunderstanding hurts me deeply. It hurts my family. It hurts my pregnant wife.
“I am not a racist. In my heart of hearts, I know that. And I think those who know me know that.”
The wicketkeeper-batter went on to praise the leadership of Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s first permanent black captain, and concluded his statement by saying he would like to be back in the team if they would accept him.
He said: “I just want to thank my team-mates for their support, especially my captain, Temba. People might not recognise, but he is a flipping amazing leader.
“If he and the team, and South Africa, will have me, I would love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again.”
Stirling Coates
Editor
Comments have been switched off on this article and all others related to De Kock. While we appreciate this is a sensitive and controversial topic that people are keen to discuss, the conversation has taken a turn into personal attacks against a Crowd author. You are free to passionately disagree with the opinions presented by anyone on this site - including the authors and including the editors - but you have to play the ball, not the man.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Let that be a lesson for us all. Live your life like a sheep & conform with the woke or suffer the consequences.
Gee
Roar Rookie
and fired.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Happens all the time
Gee
Roar Rookie
Zero chance, It's The ABC. They would rather spend 180k of tax payers money than say sorry I am a liar.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
I worked in the paint industry most of my life and it was always better when the paint dried
Otsuble
Roar Rookie
No. I don’t have a cat. I just don’t think he is very good at his job.
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
That is understandable given the cultural difference. Here in sub continent approach towards a general or universal problem is more community orientated than personal choice unlike western style individualism.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Just re-reading QdK's statement again. If only some had just one quarter the class and honesty that he displayed in that statement..
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
May have been appropriate though, given the extremely personal nature of his attack on a guy he didn’t know. Interesting theory...person A attacked person B, so person C (a bystander) then thinks its appropriate to descend to person A's level and attack him. Interesting stuff for sure.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
On this, I agree with you. Far too much pre-judging of "why" in the absence of facts. Don't agree though re his rights being taken away. They were most definitely taken away; the CSA Board position for almost 18 months was to allow the team and individuals within the team, to make their own decisions. The team - including the black players - were supportive of this. The Board then decided it knew better what the players needed to do.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Just the hilarity of it all...a Rorschach test really.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Warner's about to smash a ton I hear!
.kraM
Roar Rookie
No idea but one is warranted
Otsuble
Roar Rookie
So he has apologised?
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Did he run over your cat?
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Disagree. Misstep here but otherwise good
Ball Burster
Roar Rookie
Just quietly Jacko - your boss might be telling you that you are useless.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Anyway, loving watching the pregame interview with JL on fox atm, so positive, talking all the boys up. Love it!
Ball Burster
Roar Rookie
To PTA: What does "Ha" mean?