‘Cricket me politics mat karo yaar’ – Fans react as Cricket South Africa sacks David Teeger from U-19 captaincy over safety concerns after supporting Israel 

Cricket South Africa (CSA) took the bold-precautionary step of sacking Under-19 captain David Teeger a week before the World Cup. The action comes in light of safety concerns for the young man after he made a pro-Israel comment in November last year. South Africa is all set to host the 2024 U-19 World Cup starting on January 19 and the boys will be playing under a new captain, which is yet to be announced.

Teeger had commented in support of Israeli soldiers in the ongoing conflict with Palestine, in response, the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) filed a complaint with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). Although he had done nothing wrong other than voicing his opinions, the CSA expressed concern that keeping him as captain would increase tensions.

“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.

Threat of Gaza-related protests at U19 WC forced CSA to take action 

Teeger made the comments during the Jewish Achievement Awards ceremony. He hailed Israeli soldiers as ‘rising stars’, dedicating his ward to them. “I’m now the rising star, but the true rising stars are the young soldiers in Israel. And I’d like to dedicate it to the state of Israel and every single soldier fighting so that we can live and thrive in the diaspora.”

The CSA said in a statement that since South Africa has been awarded the right to host the World Cup, they have been receiving regular security and risk updates. The decision to oust Teeger comes after protests over the war in Gaza are expected at venues for the tournament.

“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.

Here’s how fans reacted to the CSA’s decision to remove David Teeger from the captaincy: