“I didn’t understand why I had to prove it with a gesture, when I live and learn and love people from all walks of life every day. When you are told what to do, with no discussion, I felt like it takes away the meaning. If I was racist, I could easily have taken the knee and lied, which is wrong and doesn’t build a better society.

“Those who have grown up with me and played with me, know what type of person I am. I’ve been called a lot of things as a cricketer. Doff. Stupid. Selfish. Immature. But those didn’t hurt. Being called a racist because of a misunderstanding hurts me deeply.

“It hurts my family. It hurts my pregnant wife. I am not a racist. In my heart of hearts, I know that. And I think those who know me know that.”

De Kock said he interpreted the board’s order as a threat, and suggested others in the team felt the same.

“I won’t lie, I was shocked that we were told on the way to an important match that there was an instruction that we had to follow, with a perceived “or else.” I don’t think I was the only one,” de Kock said.

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“We had camps. We had sessions. We had zoom meetings. We know where we all stand. And that is together. I love every one of my teammates, and I love nothing more than playing cricket for South Africa.

“I think it would have been better for everyone concerned if we had sorted this out before the tournament started. Then we could have focused on our job, to win cricket matches for our country. There always seems to be a drama when we go to World Cups. That isn’t fair.”

De Kock thanked his teammates for their support, singling out skipper Temba Bavuma, who has been widely praised for the way he spoke at the press conference after the Proteas’ victory over the Windies.

“People might not recognise, but he is a flipping amazing leader,” de Kock said. “If he and the team, and South Africa, will have me, I would love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again.”

De Kock said he did not mean to show disrespect to the Windies team or to make the issue all about him.

“I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion and anger that I have caused,” de Kock said.

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