Quinton de Kock made himself unavailable for South Africa selection at the T20 World Cup on Tuesday after the nation’s governing body issued a directive to its players that they must take a knee before the start of remaining matches.

CSA said in a statement that it was “imperative for the team to be seen taking a united and consistent stand against racism, especially given South Africa’s history.”

In the Proteas first match against Australia, de Kock was the only player to not either take a knee, raise a fist or stand to attention.

CSA was worried that the different postures may create an “unintended perception of disparity or lack of support for” the BLM movement, and therefore has directed players to kneel.

De Kock then pulled out of Tuesday’s match against the West Indies due to “personal reasons”, captain Temba Bavuma said.

CSA later confirmed that de Kock had decided “not to take the knee”.

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Scotland TONKED by Afghanistan | 01:09

“The Board’s view was that while diversity can and should find expression in many facets of daily lives, this did not apply when it came to taking a stand against racism,” CSA said in a statement.

“The Board will await a further report from team management before deciding on the next steps. All players are expected to follow this directive for the remaining games of the World Cup.

“CSA thanks all other Proteas players for agreeing to unite and make such an important public stand against racism.”

Eoin Morgan’s England took the knee along with the West Indies on day one of the ongoing World Cup and India and Pakistan followed in their key clash on Sunday.

The South Africans playing in Tuesday’s game took the knee before the start of the game.

“A commitment to overcoming racism is the glue that should unite, bind and strengthen us,” CSA board chairperson Lawson Naidoo said.

“Race should not be manipulated to amplify our weaknesses. Diversity can and should find expression in many facets of our daily lives, but not when it comes to taking a stand against racism.”

The statement further added, “Cricket is the second most watched sport globally and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, being held in the UAE and Oman, is the ideal platform for the Proteas to highlight the national resolve to heal the divisions of the past.”

South Africa assistant coach Enoch Nkwe had resigned in August after apparent disagreements with under-pressure head coach Mark Boucher.

Nkwe’s resignation came against a backdrop of widespread criticism of Boucher following revelations made at hearings into racism in South African cricket.

The criticism intensified when black former players alleged they were not made to feel welcome in the national team environment during the period in which Boucher was a prominent member of the team.

Former spin bowler Paul Adams said he was racially abused during fines meetings presided over by Boucher which put the spotlight directly on the current coach.