Hosts South Africa have removed their U-19 cricket team captain David Teeger due to safety concerns a week before the start of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2024. The 19-year-old from Johannesburg was set to lead the hosts at the tournament, which begins on January 19. (More Cricket News)
Teeger had hailed an Israeli soldier at the Rising Star of the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards -- an annual ceremony at which the Jewish community pays tribute to achievers within its ranks -- in November 2023.
"I've been awarded this award, and yes, I am now the rising star, but the true rising stars are the young soldiers in Israel..." he had been quoted as saying during the Johannesburg felicitation. "And I'd like to dedicate it to the state of Israel and to every single soldier fighting so that we can live and thrive in the diaspora."
His statement undermined the country's stance on the ongoing war in Gaza. South Africa approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last December, accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians. The United Nations’ top court on January 11 started a two-day hearing.
Teeger was appointed as the captain of South Africa's U-19 cricket team in December 2023 following an independent investigation that cleared him of breaching Cricket South Africa's and Central Gauteng Lions' codes of conduct.
The enquiry, for the record, was initiated after considering a complaint from the Palestine Solidarity Alliance, in which Teeger's words were termed "a provocative and inflammatory political statement".
Confirming the sacking of Teeger, the CSA, wary of possible protests, on Friday released a statement, which read:
"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.
"CSA has a primary duty to safeguard the interests and safety of all those involved in the World Cup and must accordingly respect the expert advice of those responsible for the safety of participants and spectators.
"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."
South Africa are in the Group B along with England, Scotland and the West Indies. They face the Windies on January 19, followed by fixtures against England and Scotland on January 23 and 27, respectively. After the group stage, the tournament will have a Super Six stage of 12 teams, with the final on February 16 at Willowmoore Park, Benoni.
South Africa replaced Sri Lanka as the hosts of the 16-team U-19 World Cup 2024 following the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket by the International Cricket Council for government interference in its running.
