Quinton de Kock happy to take a knee as South Africa return beckons

The 28-year-old denies that he is a racist and hits out at the timing of the CSA directive as breaks his silence on the controversy

Quinton de Kock has committed to taking a knee and is on the brink of returning to the South Africa team.

De Kock withdrew ahead of the victory over West Indies due to "personal reasons" after refusing to follow a Cricket South Africa directive for the team to take a united anti-racism stance.

Previously, players had been given a choice of taking a knee, raising a fist, or standing to attention, but this position was revised after the opening men's T20 World Cup win over Australia when players adopted different poses.

That change of policy was addressed with the squad as they travelled to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday (October 26), leading to De Kock's decision to withdraw from the game.

A statement released on Thursday (October 28) by De Kock outlined his reasons for the decision, included an apology directed towards teammates and fans and a commitment to fulfilling the gesture going forward.

The move means he is available for the remainder of the Proteas' World Cup campaign, which resumes against Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Saturday (October 30).

Quinton de Kock statement 📝 pic.twitter.com/Vtje9yUCO6

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 28, 2021

"I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue," he said.

"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."

Previously, De Kock, 28, had not chosen any of the three anti-racism stances suggested by CSA, but insisted "I didn't understand why I had to prove it with a gesture".

He added: "I was quiet on this very important issue until now. But I feel I have to explain myself a little bit. 

"For those who don't know, I come from a mixed-race family. My half-sisters are Coloured and my stepmom is Black. For me, Black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement. 

^{Temba Bevuma admitted his surprise at De Kock's withdrawal earlier this week}

"The rights and equality of all people are more important than any individual. I was raised to understand that we all have rights, and they are important."

Though De Kock, who has played 53 Tests, 124 ODIs, and 58 T20s for South Africa, defended the right to make his own decision he believes his original position of not taking the knee is not a racist act.

"I know I have an example to set," he explained. "We were previously told we had the choice to do what we felt we wanted to do.

"When you are told what to do, with no discussion, I felt like it takes away the meaning. 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. Doff. Stupid. Selfish. Immature. But those didn't hurt. Being called a racist because of a misunderstanding hurts me deeply."

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