South African Test skipper Dean Elgar has said that his team will support head coach Mark Boucher, who is set to face disciplinary hearing on charges of racial misconduct in May, 2020.
The Proteas head coach has been under scanner ever since his former teammate, Paul Adams accused him of racial misconduct during their playing days. Boucher has also been accused of sidelining the former assistant coach, Enoch Nkwe.
Initially, Cricket South Africa (CSA) wanted the hearing to be held following the culmination of the two-match Test series in New Zealand, starting February 17 in Christchurch. However, the same has now been postponed to May 17 after the former wicketkeeper's legal team's request to allow players to testify.
Speaking to the media ahead of the South African team's departure to New Zealand, the Proteas skipper threw his weight of support behind the head coach as he said, "Cricket comes first for us, irrespective of what our head coach is going through. But we are supporting him through this process because we know how much value he adds to our system and our group. He is a massive part of it”.
"It is just another hurdle in our path that we have to get over. We need to stick together, which we have done in the past, and let this process follow its course."
The gritty opener, who led the Proteas to a home series win over India last month, said he was unaware of which players will be called to testify the claims against Boucher.
"We only heard about it today, we haven't heard anything else. I doubt it will affect the team, this process has been up in the air for some time now," stated Elgar.
"We had a feeling it might come to this point where players would be asked to testify, and so be it." he added.
Following the allegations levied against him, Boucher has previously categorically denied "any offensive conduct, real or perceived", citing he “looked forward to dealing with and defending these allegations".
South Africa are scheduled to lock horns with the reigning World Test Champions, New Zealand in a two-match series from February 17, 2022.