David Teeger relieved of South African captaincy following pro-Israel remarks | U-19 World Cup

Ahead of the Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup, South Africa have sacked captain David Teeger citing security reasons.

Teeger has been in the news since October 2023 following his pro-Israel remarks while accepting an award.

In a statement Cricket South Africa elaborated on its decision, 'This is in the best interests of all the players, the SA U-19 team and David himself.'

The statement further read, '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 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 governing body said.

On October 23, 2023, Teeger was named the Rising Star at the ABSA Jewish Achiever Awards ceremony. In his acceptance speech, among others, the teenager also dedicated his award 'to the state of Israel and to every single soldier fighting so that we can live and thrive in the diaspora.'

His comments came days after Israel launched an offensive in Gaza following an attack by Palestinian group Hamas within Israeli territory on October 7.