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South Africa Asked To Boycott Champions Trophy 2025; Told To Follow England's Path

Abhinav Tyagi∙ Updated: Jan 9 2025, 6:36 PM

South Africa- (Source:@Johns/X.com)South Africa- (Source:@Johns/X.com)

In the latest developments around Champions Trophy 2025, there are reports that South Africa too are considering boycotting their Champions Trophy 2025 match against Afghanistan. Earlier, England were also asked not to play against the Afghans in the upcoming prestigious fifty-over event. 

Notably, South Africa Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has pointed out the same reason as England, which is Taliban's ban on women's cricket and their rights. Taliban has hogged the internet for a few years for curbing women's rights that has not gone well with several countries such as Australia, who do not hold bilateral series against Afghanistan. 

South Africa Sports Minister Calls For Boycott

Meanwhile, the South African sports minister has urged South Africa to not play against Afghanistan in their Champions Trophy 2025 tie on February 21. 

“Cricket South Africa, the federations of other countries and the ICC (International Cricket Council) will have to think carefully about the message the sport of cricket wishes to send the world, and especially the women in sports," he said in a statement on Thursday.


“It is not for me as the Sports Minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honour cricketing fixtures against Afghanistan. If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen," he added.

“As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during Apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done towards women anywhere in the world," he added.

UK Politicians Sign Petitions To Boycott England's Match against Afghanistan

Recently,  over 160 UK Politicians urged England to avoid playing against Afghanistan due to Taliban's restrictions on Women's rights. ECB, too, want to boycott the clash, but they feel the matter is not in their hands as the ICC will take the final call.

Although, it is worth noting that Australia, who hold a firm stand for not playing against Afghanistan, do play them in ICC events.