Quinton De Kock, who issued a statement via Cricket SA on Thursday morning, explained that he only took offence to the way the team was told about the new directive. In his apology, the 28-year-old said that he was caught off-guard by the ‘or else…’ nature of CSA’s request, and that immediately put him on the defensive.
The big-hitter went on to say he WOULD take a knee in any future games for South Africa, on the basis that it may help ‘educate others’, and admitted his frustration with the fact that the saga became a major distraction for the team.
Quinton de Kock statement 📝 pic.twitter.com/Vtje9yUCO6
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 28, 2021
“If me taking a knee helps educate others, and make the lives of others better, then I am happy to do that. I did not mean to disrespect anyone with my decision on Tuesday. We were just hit with this when on the way to the game.”
‘I AM NOT A RACIST’ – QDK FIGHTS BACK
Quinton de Kock also told the public about his ‘mixed-race family’, saying that black lives have mattered to him personally ‘since birth’. His only issue, it’s stated, is within the way the players were dictated their instructions.
Happy to label the incident as a huge case of ‘crossed wires’, Quinton has made himself available for selection again – if his teammates will accept him back into the fold. De Kock also denies that he is ‘a racist’, in any shape or form.
“I am sorry for the hurt, anger, and confusion I have caused. I come from a mixed-race family. My half-sisters are coloured, and my stepmother is black. Black lives have mattered to me since I was born, before the international movement.”
“But I felt like my rights were taken away from me when we were told we had to take the knee, in the way we were told. Being called racist because of a misunderstanding hurts me deeply. If the team will have me, I would love nothing more than to play for South Africa again.”
