England tour of South Africa: ‘We decided as a group’ – Kagiso Rabada speaks on decision to not take the knee

England tour of South Africa: ‘We decided as a group’ – Kagiso Rabada speaks on decision to not take the knee
Players taking the knee during the England vs West Indies series

England’s Tour of South Africa is scheduled to get underway from November 27 with the first T20I at Newlands. There will be two more T20Is following which the two sides will lock horns in a three-match ODI series. There had been plenty of discussion around whether the series will see players taking the knee in support and solidarity of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The ‘taking the knee’ gesture was practiced during a Test series between West Indies and England. However, South Africa being the hosts have decided to not undertake the gesture for the series against England. South Africa’s ace pacer Kagiso Rabada stated that the decision was taken as a group and since coach Mark Boucher has stated the same, the decision will not be changed once the series starts.

‘Black lives matter 100%’ – Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada was asked about the decision to not take the knee during the series at a press conference. “We spoke about it as a group,” Rabada said. “There are lots of things to look at these days. To me, black lives matter. Now we’re looking at gender-based violence. Black lives will always matter. All lives will always matter. The situation now is that black lives matter.”

He further said: “Black lives matter 100%. It’s something that I will always stand for. I speak for myself. It was a team decision not to kneel. This is to look at gender-based violence and to devote ourselves to another cause. However, BLM will always be relevant and something that I will always believe in. I speak for myself there. Mark has stated that the team will not be kneeling and that’s how it’s going to be.”

Earlier, South Africa’s head coach Mark Boucher announced the decision to not take the knee and said, “It’s not something that we have to continue to show. It’s more something that you have to live.”

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