Keshav Maharaj says there are no racists in the South Africa team after Quinton De Kock controversy

Keshav Maharaj insists that there are no racists in the South Africa team as they prepare to welcome back Quinton De Kock following his apology for refusing to take the knee  

  • Quinton De Kock withdrew from the team after he refused to take the knee
  • He has since slammed South Africa’s board for forcing players to take the knee
  • De Kock apologised for his refusal and has held clear-the-air talks with the board
  • He will return to the squad to play their T20 World Cup clash with Sri Lanka 
  • Keshav Maharaj insists that there are no racists within the South Africa team


South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj insisted ‘no one is a racist within our team’ as they prepare to welcome back Quinton De Kock following the wicketkeeper-batter’s apology for his refusal to take the knee.

De Kock caused a stir when he withdrew from South Africa’s T20 World Cup match against the West Indies, rebuffing a directive from the board for all players to take part in the anti-racism gesture during the rest of the tournament.

In a lengthy statement, De Kock insisted he was ‘not racist’ and explained his stance came from feeling his ‘rights were taken away’, but he has had a change of heart on taking the knee after clear-the-air talks with the board.

Quinton De Kock is returning to the side after a change of heart on taking the knee

Keshav Maharaj has insisted that there are no racists within the South Africa team

Keshav Maharaj has insisted that there are no racists within the South Africa team

Maharaj admitted it has been a challenging week and, while he was unable to confirm whether De Kock would be back in the side for their game against Sri Lanka on Saturday, the slow left-armer was adamant the group are in harmony.

‘We all support one another and respect everyone’s cultural, religious and spiritual differences,’ Maharaj said. ‘I am a very religious person, so I know you’ve got to be accepting of a lot of things, and we respect that.

‘No one is a racist within our team. We’re all in the team in a good space at the moment. It’s been a tough week, but I think it’s drawn us together and we’ve drawn some strength and inspiration from this.

Cricket South Africa ordered their players to take the knee following the disjointed effort for the Black Lives Matters movement against Australia last week

Cricket South Africa ordered their players to take the knee following the disjointed effort for the Black Lives Matters movement against Australia last week

‘The boys are mature enough and adult enough to sort of adapt to the situation. I think the spirits were really high at training.

‘There’s that buzz and that drive that’s back into the team after quite a long two days. But yeah, I think the boys are in good stead, and our focus is back on the cricket for now.’

In De Kock’s absence, South Africa overcame the Windies, bouncing back from defeat to Australia in their Super 12s group opener, while a win over Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Saturday will boost their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

De Kock (right) refused to take the knee and explained his stance came from feeling his 'rights were taken away'

De Kock (right) refused to take the knee and explained his stance came from feeling his ‘rights were taken away’

De Kock, an ex-Proteas captain who has played 53 Tests, 124 one-dayers and 58 T20s, is rated one of his country’s brightest performers and he could slot straight back into the team as wicketkeeper and opening batter.

‘Obviously that’s down to the selectors in terms of whether he starts or not,’ Maharaj said. ‘But I know that if he does get the opportunity, he’ll definitely slot back into the team.

‘A person of his calibre, we know what Quinny can do with the bat, and he puts match-winning knocks on. It’s been a tough week for him, but he’s a very mature character despite what people may think.

‘Quinny is Quinny, and we love having him in the team.’

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