Mark Boucher issues apology for singing offensive songs, using nicknames during playing days

Former South Africa player and current head coach Mark Boucher has admitted to the charges of racist abuses made against him by several former teammates. Paul Adams, a former South Africa spinner, had alleged that he was not welcomed in the team and was nicknamed Brown s*** by his teammates in the late 1990s. While admitting that the national team culture back then was offensive, Boucher rued lack of maturity and consciousness in the team. The former wicketkeeper-batter also issued an unconditional apology to the ones he offended.

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However, as for Adam’s allegations of Boucher giving him the nickname, the head coach denied the same and said he does not know who gave him the name. However, he admitted to being part of the group that sang the song ‘brown s*** at meetings and post-match celebrations. Boucher said he regrets his actions and is ready to have one on one discussions with the players he offended.

Earlier, South Africa’s white-ball captain Temba Bavuma said that Mark Boucher had addressed the team, providing clarity and context against the accusations against him.

"I'd be lying if I said it didn't have an impact on us as a team," Bavuma told an online press conference on Monday. "It's publicly known that members of the team have been named in testimony in the SJN. Our coach, Mark Boucher, has addressed us as a team speaking to the accusations against him. He provided clarity and context, and I think it was more about keeping the guys within his confidence and comfort.

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"As much as we operate as a team and we try to control everything that's within our circle, those type of matters do come up within the team. For us it's important that we deal with it internally and ask whatever hard questions that we need to ask of each other to make sure that we can keep growing within the team."

Bavuma lauded the initiative by SJN and said it helps players to open up on their grievances of the past and in turn, helps them providing the required support.