D-day has arrived. On Monday, 19 September, over 300 players will go under the hammer in the auction for the inaugural edition of SA20. Photo: Pradeep Dambarage / BackpagePix
D-day has arrived. On Monday, 19 September, over 300 players will go under the hammer in the auction for the inaugural edition of SA20. Photo: Pradeep Dambarage / BackpagePix
When Quinton de Kock withdrew himself from selection on Tuesday, it undoubtedly made life very difficult for the Proteas’ senior leadership – including captain Temba Bavuma. De Kock, who has since apologised, refused to ‘take a knee’ before South Africa played the West Indies, creating an international media storm.
Temba Bavuma calms the ‘take a knee’ fallout
Bavuma ended up front and centre of the media’s glaring spotlight. After leading the Proteas to a magnificent eight-wicket win, he bravely chose to face the press, knowing full well there’d be little talk about the on-pitch heroics.
As South Africa’s first-ever black captain, Bavuma is no stranger to carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. But the skipper refused to throw his teammate under the bus, and instead offered his support to Quinton de Kock. The diminutive batsman argued that QDK ‘was entitled to his opinion’, and the matter ‘would be discussed later’.
Quinton de Kock hails captain for his support
Earlier this morning, de Kock issued a statement, explaining that his refusal to take a knee was based on a misunderstanding. He did not like the way the directive from Cricket SA was handed down, but stated that he now has no problem performing the gesture going forward – if SA decide to select him in their remaining T20 World Cup games.
However, his tribute to Temba Bavuma felt rather fitting, given that it was the captain who was essentially held accountable for his teammate’s actions. And yes, we agree with Quinton. Temba really is a ‘flipping amazing leader’.
“It would have been better for everyone if we could have sorted this out before the tournament. Then we could have focused on our job, to win cricket matches for our country. There is always drama for us at World Cups, it’s not fair.”
“I just want to thank my teammates for their support, especially my captain, Temba Bavuma. People might not recognise, but he is a flipping amazing leader. If he and the team will have me, I’d love nothing more than to play for SA again.”
Quinton de Kock
"People might not recognize, but he (Temba Bavuma) is a flipping amazing leader." – Quinton de Kock. That is my major takeaway. I will leave the other stuff to the activists.
— Siyabonga Mthobisi Mchunu (@BestRockingNews) October 28, 2021
