Temba Bavuma says the Proteas will make make a “collective” decision on whether to continue taking the knee.

Hours before their T20 World Cup clash with the West Indies, Cricket South Africa instructed the team to take the knee – an anti-racism gesture associated with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement – before the start of the remainder of their matches in the tournament.

Until then, the players had been allowed to show their support for BLM in a way that was comfortable for them.

As a result, Quinton de Kock – who had previously opted to stand – withdrew from the team. He later apologised and took a knee with the rest of the side before their next match against Sri Lanka.

On Tuesday, Bavuma said the Proteas had yet to discuss whether they would continue to take the knee in South Africa this summer.

“Originally, the team would take the opportunity to show their gesture in their own way, and things obviously changed at the World Cup. We haven’t spoken yet and we have to get together soon,” Bavuma told reporters.

“We’ll have to bring [Test captain] Dean Elgar into the conversation, too, and see how we’re going to go forward. The conversation needs to happen and I would assume all key role players would be involved in that decision like the team, board and [CSA director of cricket] Graeme Smith.”

Bavuma said the gesture should be about how people internalise the BLM movement.

“The important thing for me is how does this translate to our every day, that’s the cream on top for me.

“We can all go out there and raise our fists or go on our knee but if deep down in the heart you’re not for the cause and what it stands for and it doesn’t show in everyday behaviour, then it brings into question the authenticity.

“As a South African cricket side, we’ve been put under immense pressure around this topic more than any other local or international team – for whatever reason that may be,” Bavuma added.

“The work and effort that goes behind the scenes, not a lot of attention or acknowledgement has been given to the team. Probably because people from the outside don’t get to see or hear our conversations.

“The pressure mounting on us is a bit unfair. Going forward the decision must be a collective one, we want to avoid a situation where things are being dictated or instructed towards the players. We want to avoid that and let it be a collective well.”

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