Cricket South Africa (CSA) and some top former players like Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers have been alleged of engaging in racially “prejudicial conduct” against players by the Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) commission. A 235-page final report submitted by the SJN Commission head Dumisa Ntsebeza has alleged CSA administration, former skipper and current director Smith, current head coach Mark Boucher and former cricketer, de Villiers of discriminating against black players.

De Villiers, one of the most admired South African cricketers figure who recently retired, denied the charge. He tweeted, “I support the aims of CSA’s Social Justice and Nation Building process, to ensure equal opportunities in cricket. However, in my career, I expressed honest cricketing opinions only ever based on what I believed was best for the team., never based on anyone’s race. That’s the fact.”

I support the aims of CSA’s Social Justice and Nation Building process, to ensure equal opportunities in cricket. However, in my career, I expressed honest cricketing opinions only ever based on what I believed was best for the team, never based on anyone’s race. That’s the fact. pic.twitter.com/Be0eb1hNBR

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) December 15, 2021

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The report has suggested appointing a permanent ombudsman to deal with race and gender-based complaints in South Africa cricket. The issue came to light after Boucher and former spinner Paul Adams testified that the latter was given a racial nickname by his national team-mates, including the current head coach.

The reports read, “The decision of the panel was totally irrational and showed clear signs of systemic racism. CSA, Mr. Graeme Smith, and some selectors at the time really failed Mr. Tsolekile and many black players of this time in many ways.”

The allegations against de Villiers were based on his handling of Khaya Zondo when he was part of South Africa’s ODI squad that toured India in 2015. He was not selected in the team when JP Duminy was injured for the final match of the series. In Zondo’s place, Dean Elgar, who was a part of the Test squad, played in that match.

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The report stated that it was done “just to ensure that a black player was not placed in a position which he deemed as requiring greater experience.”