'How racist do you have to be': TV host's brutal Quinton de Kock take
ABC TV host Tony Armstrong has launched a stinging attack on South African cricketer Quinton de Kock's refusal to take the knee with the rest of his team at the Twenty20 World Cup.
There are now serious question marks over de Kock's further participation at the World Cup after his decision to skip the Proteas' eight wicket win over the West Indies in defiance of a team order to take the knee.
'GLAD PERSONALLY': Steve Smith responds to Ben Stokes bombshell
BOMBSHELL: Dean Jones' son suing Aussie cricket great's widow
Cricket South Africa (CSA) said it decided to force players to take the knee after concerns were raised over the "different postures" taken ahead of warm-up matches and the team's opening five wicket World Cup loss to Australia on Saturday.
Some members of South Africa's team had taken the knee with their fists raised, others stood with fists raised while de Kock, Anrich Nortje and Heinrich Klaasen stood with their hands by their side before recent matches.
It's understood personal or religious reasons were behind the players' decisions not to take a knee.
"The board felt it was imperative for the team to be seen taking a united and consistent stand against racism, especially given (South Africa's) history," CSA said.
De Rock refused to reveal exactly what his reason was for refusing to take the kneel but has said it's his "my own personal opinion" in the past.
The issue has sparked heated debate around the world and is a bad look for South Africa, considering the country's history with apartheid.
“All players had been required, in line with a directive of the CSA Board on Monday evening, to ‘take the knee’ in a united and consistent stance against racism,” CSA said in a statement.
“This is also the global gesture against racism that has been adopted by sportspeople across sporting codes because they recognise the power of sport to bring people together.”
Speaking on ABC Breakfast, Armstrong said he couldn't fathom why De Kock refused to get on board with an issue of such global significance.
Quinton de Kock slammed over decision
“We’ve seen sporting teams right around the world start to get behind this movement,” he said on Wednesday morning.
“So for him to not do that, all that I think — and this is my own personal opinion — the question has been bubbling in my mind is how racist do you have to be, to not just take a knee and do that in conjunction with your teammates to show support, to even pretend to show support? You’ve got to be pretty strong on your conviction not to.
“At the very best it is confounding, confusing and puzzling.”
"I don't know how far it's going to develop," Bavuma said when asked about a potential replacement for De Kock.
"It wouldn't be my decision whether to replace Quinton or to get a substitute.
"But as far as we stand, Quinton is still one of the players...so whatever support that he needs...we'll be there for him."
South Africa recovered to restrict the Windies to 8-143 before cruising to 2-144 with 10 balls to spare with Aiden Markram not out 51 off 26 balls and Rassie van der Dussen unbeaten on 43.
Despite the de Kock drama, Dwaine Pretorious (3-17) helped South Africa restrict the two-time champions with Evin Lewis top scoring for the Windies with 56 off 35 balls - one more than the team's paltry total in their opening loss to England at the same venue.
In reply, de Kock's replacement Reeza Hendricks hit 39 before Markram and van der Dussen guided South Africa to victory with an unbroken 83-run stand.
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
