---
title: "Sticky wicket — Reinstate Teeger as SA U19 captain or we’ll escalate matter, demands DA"
description: "The Democratic Alliance has threatened to take Cricket South Africa to the South African Human Rights Commission if David Teeger is not reappointed as captain of South Africa under-19."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "NOT JUST CRICKET"
author: "Keanan Hemmonsbey"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/keanan-hemmonsbey/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-16-sticky-wicket-reinstate-teeger-as-sa-u19-captain-or-well-escalate-matter-demands-da/"
published: "2024-01-16T00:09:24"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 459
---

# Sticky wicket — Reinstate Teeger as SA U19 captain or we’ll escalate matter, demands DA

> The Democratic Alliance has threatened to take Cricket South Africa to the South African Human Rights Commission if David Teeger is not reappointed as captain of South Africa under-19.

By Keanan Hemmonsbey · Published 16 January 2024, 02:09 SAST

## Key points
- The Democratic Alliance (DA) has demanded access to the risk assessment report that supposedly led to David Teeger being stripped of the captaincy for the South Africa Under-19 cricket team, after CSA claimed there may be protests related to the war in Gaza at the upcoming World Cup, despite an independent security analyst stating that there was no direct risk of conflict or violence.
- The DA has submitted a Paia application to obtain the risk assessment report used to strip David Teeger of the captaincy of the SA Under-19 cricket team.
- CSA claimed that protests related to the war in Gaza could occur at the World Cup venues and focused on Teeger's position as captain.
- An independent security analyst disagrees with CSA's reasoning and the DA has requested to see the risk assessment report.
- The DA threatens to escalate the matter to the SAHRC if Teeger is not reinstated as captain, arguing for the protection of players' rights and the rule of law.

## Content

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (Paia) application to obtain the risk assessment report which Cricket South Africa (CSA) claims was the basis of relieving David Teeger of captaining South Africa Under-19 at the age group World Cup starting on Friday.

Teeger was[stripped of the captaincy on Friday](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-12-david-teeger-stripped-of-captaincy-ahead-of-under-19-world-cup-as-threat-of-protests-loom/), a week before the start of the home tournament.

CSA said, “Protests related to the war in Gaza can be anticipated at the venues for the tournament \[and\] … they are likely to focus on the position of the SA Under-19 (SA U19) captain, David Teeger.”

This comes after the 19-year-old last year [dedicated his Rising Star Award](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-11-26-inquiry-to-investigate-sa-under-19-cricket-captains-pro-israel-comments-at-awards-ceremony/) received at the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards to Israeli soldiers.

CSA launched an inquiry into his comments and independent advocate Wim Trengove SC cleared Teeger of any wrongdoing.

However, the threats of protests at the venues of the World Cup — such as Potchefstroom, where SA play their opening match against West Indies — have seen CSA rescind its decision on the captaincy.

CSA on Sunday announced that Western Province allrounder Juan James will take over as captain.

Contrary to CSA’s reasoning for relieving Teeger of “a risk that \[the protests\] could result in conflict or even violence”, an independent security analyst told *Daily Maverick*[there was no direct risk](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-14-cricket-sa-never-took-a-principled-stance-on-teeger-situation-and-it-backfired/) of this.

The DA, clearly of the same opinion as the independent security analyst, has requested to see the risk assessment report that CSA has reportedly followed.

“This report is crucial to understanding the basis on which CSA made its decision to strip Teeger of the captaincy,” the party said in a statement on Monday.

“Recent media reports indicate a lack of tangible proof regarding any threats to the team, as senior officials responsible for securing cricket events and sources within the State Security Agency, police and security experts have all confirmed the absence of substantial threats.

“The association must divulge who their security analysts and experts are, the basis on which the decision was made, and specifics regarding the threats received that led to the decision.”

The DA threatened to “escalate the matter to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)” if CSA does not reinstate Teeger as captain.

“The DA insists that CSA should prioritise the rule of law, protect the players’ rights to free expression, belief, conscience, and religion, and not succumb to threats or intimidation,” the statement further read.

“The party warns that allowing such a precedent to stand could lead to future unjust decisions based on arbitrary criteria. The DA remains committed to defending the principles enshrined in the Bill of Rights and will take all necessary actions to ensure justice and fairness prevail in South African sports.” **DM**