Cricket South Africa (CSA) has sacked David Teeger as South Africa's Under-19 captain due to safety concerns that he might become a focal point for anti-war demonstrators. However, he will continue to be a part of the team, as confirmed by officials on Friday.
This development came right ahead of the U-19 World Cup, which is scheduled to start on January 19, 2024, South Africa being the host nation.
This decision follows pro-Israeli comments made by Teeger in November of the previous year, which led CSA to take this action.
“In all the circumstances, CSA has decided that David should be relieved of the captaincy for the tournament. This is in the best interests of all the players, the SA U19 team and David himself. David will remain an important and active member of the squad and we wish him and the team every success in the tournament. The newly appointed captain will be announced in due course,” CSA’s statement read.
South Africa was chosen to host the U19 World Cup, replacing Sri Lanka, who were the initial hosts but faced suspension by the ICC due to governmental meddling in their cricket board's operations.
CSA explained that their decision to remove Teeger as the U19 team's captain was made following consistent updates on security and risk assessments concerning the U19 World Cup. South Africa is in Group B for the U19 World Cup, grouped with England, Scotland, and the West Indies.
“As is the case with all such events, CSA has been receiving regular security and risk updates regarding the World Cup. We have been advised that protests related to the war in Gaza can be anticipated at the venues for the tournament. We have also been advised that they are likely to focus on the position of the SA Under-19 (SA U19) captain, David Teeger, and that there is a risk that they could result in conflict or even violence, including between rival groups of protestors,” the statement added.
Last year in November, at the Rising Star of the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards, Teeger praised an Israeli soldier.
“Yes, I’ve been given this award, and yes, I’m now the Rising Star, but the true rising stars are the young soldiers in Israel,” Teeger had said.
There has been at least one notable incident connected to Teeger's role as captain of South Africa's U-19 cricket team. During the New Year's Test match between South Africa and India at Newlands, a group of pro-Palestinian activists demonstrated outside the main entrance. Police later escorted them to a designated area where they continued to express concerns about Teeger's selection. Additionally, a separate group of spectators displayed Palestinian flags in the North Stand during the match. Given Teeger's previous action of dedicating an award to Israeli soldiers last year, CSA anticipates an increase in such protest activities.
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