Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday announced it will launch a formal inquiry into the conduct of current director Graeme Smith and national team's head coach Mark Boucher after reviewing the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) Commission report.

A 235-page final report submitted by the SJN Commission head Dumisa Ntsebeza had accused CSA administration, former captain and current director Smith, Boucher and former batter AB de Villiers of engaging in racial discrimination.

The report alleged that the trio discriminated against the black players by not selecting them in the national team.

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"The formal inquiries will take place early in the new year. They will include formal inquiries into the conduct of Graeme Smith, the CSA Director of Cricket, and Mark Boucher, the coach of the Proteas Men's team," CSA said in a statement.

However, Smith and Boucher will remain in their positions and will continue to carry out their duties during the India tour.

CSA said it met virtually on Saturday to give further consideration to the report but was silent on enquiry against De Villiers.

The Ombudsman's SJN Report made various "tentative findings" regarding allegations of discrimination and racism.

However, the Ombudsman indicated that he was not in a position to make definite findings and recommended that a further process be undertaken in this regard, CSA said.

"The Board has done so mindful of its duty to treat allegations of racism or discrimination with the utmost seriousness and in a manner that ensures fairness and due process in terms of South Africa's labour legislation and the Constitution."

The Ombudsman's report included findings that Smith and Boucher had acted in a prejudicial or discriminatory manner. Further details with regards to the inquiries will be announced in due course.

"CSA respects the SJN process and we are engaging with the report in detail and holistically.

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"We have taken careful cognisance of the recommendation of the Ombudsman, that in appropriate cases, a further process should be instituted to test the evidence and submissions made, and we have decided that this is indeed the appropriate route to follow," says CSA Board chairperson, Lawson Naidoo.

"We hope this will give implicated parties a fair opportunity to be heard so that finality can be achieved, and any final findings can then be acted on",&nbsp;he added.

Further steps and action by CSA to transform cricket and act on other applicable recommendations in the SJN report, aligned to the Board's new strategic framework and pillars of access, inclusion and excellence, are set to be announced in the new year.&nbsp;

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday announced it will launch a formal inquiry into the conduct of current director Graeme Smith and national team's head coach Mark Boucher after reviewing the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) Commission report.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday announced it will launch a formal inquiry into the conduct of current director Graeme Smith and national team's head coach Mark Boucher after reviewing the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) Commission report. A 235-page final report submitted by the SJN Commission head Dumisa Ntsebeza had accused CSA administration, former captain and current director Smith, Boucher and former batter AB de Villiers of engaging in racial discrimination. The report alleged that the trio discriminated against the black players by not selecting them in the national team. ALSO READ: 2 Tests, 8 ODIs, 5 T20Is: Babar Azam-led Pakistan to host Kane Williamson's New Zealand in 2022-23 "The formal inquiries will take place early in the new year. They will include formal inquiries into the conduct of Graeme Smith, the CSA Director of Cricket, and Mark Boucher, the coach of the Proteas Men's team," CSA said in a statement. However, Smith and Boucher will remain in their positions and will continue to carry out their duties during the India tour. CSA said it met virtually on Saturday to give further consideration to the report but was silent on enquiry against De Villiers. The Ombudsman's SJN Report made various "tentative findings" regarding allegations of discrimination and racism. However, the Ombudsman indicated that he was not in a position to make definite findings and recommended that a further process be undertaken in this regard, CSA said. "The Board has done so mindful of its duty to treat allegations of racism or discrimination with the utmost seriousness and in a manner that ensures fairness and due process in terms of South Africa's labour legislation and the Constitution." The Ombudsman's report included findings that Smith and Boucher had acted in a prejudicial or discriminatory manner. Further details with regards to the inquiries will be announced in due course. "CSA respects the SJN process and we are engaging with the report in detail and holistically. ALSO READ: 'I am sorry for the hurt': Michael Vaughan apologises to Azeem Rafiq amid racism allegations "We have taken careful cognisance of the recommendation of the Ombudsman, that in appropriate cases, a further process should be instituted to test the evidence and submissions made, and we have decided that this is indeed the appropriate route to follow," says CSA Board chairperson, Lawson Naidoo. "We hope this will give implicated parties a fair opportunity to be heard so that finality can be achieved, and any final findings can then be acted on", he added. Further steps and action by CSA to transform cricket and act on other applicable recommendations in the SJN report, aligned to the Board's new strategic framework and pillars of access, inclusion and excellence, are set to be announced in the new year.

Cricket South Africa to launch formal inquiry against Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher over racism allegations

South Africa head coach Mark Boucher issued a statement on Monday apologising for "any offensive conduct, real or perceived" brought to light during hearings into racism in South African cricket.

The former long-serving Test wicketkeeper made public a 14-page affidavit he submitted to the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) ombudsman, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza.

Later on Monday, Cricket South Africa announced Boucher's assistant coach, Enoch Nkwe, had signalled his intention to resign but that talks were being held with him about his future.

It was unclear whether Nkwe's planned resignation was linked to revelations at the SJN hearings but a morning newspaper claimed sources said Nkwe felt sidelined.

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Meanwhile, South Africa limited overs captain Temba Bavuma said at a press conference ahead of a tour of Sri Lanka that Boucher had addressed the players about the allegations against him and provided "clarity and context".

Boucher said his sworn statement was a general response to issues with his behaviour during his playing days raised by black cricketers at the hearings.

He said he would prefer to deal "one-on-one" with specific allegations by former team-mates that he had offended.

But he did go into detail about allegations that he and other white players adapted in an offensive fashion the lyrics of a Boney M song 'Brown Girl in the Ring' and sung it at spin bowler Paul Adams&nbsp;during a team fines meetings.

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Boucher said he was a naive young man when he was first selected to play for South Africa as a 20-year-old in 1997, six years after the country returned to international cricket after 21 years of isolation because of apartheid.

Boucher said he now realised that players, coaches and management were naive.&nbsp;

"To my certain knowledge there had not been any briefing or discussion by Cricket South Africa as to how we deal with the legacy of apartheid," he said, "and how we ensure that there is equality, respect empathy and inclusiveness in the team."

Boucher said nothing he had said or done was motivated by malice or racism.

He said the current South Africa team was "now in an entirely different space" following "meaningful workshops and discussions about how to create an atmosphere of inclusiveness and a culture of respect".

Boucher said there had been "an implicit insinuation" in some media reports and posts on social media that he was a racist. He said these allegations had traumatised him and his family. &nbsp;

Boucher said for much of his playing career he had been in charge at fines meetings which usually happened after a series win. They were "light-hearted with lots of laughter, singing and ribbing of teammates."

He said he did not know who had initiated the Boney M song insulting Adams but acknowledged that what was seen at the time as playful banter was "totally inappropriate".

Bavuma, the country's first black African captain, said the SJN hearings had impacted the team.

He said most of the players supported the hearings and hoped that mistakes of the past would enable the current squad "to be able to learn from those experiences and those mistakes by certain individuals which can help us pave the way forward."

Bowling coach Charl Langeveldt and fast bowler Junior Dala were late withdrawals from the touring squad because of "Covid protocols". Dala was replaced by fellow fast bowler Lutho Sipamla.

South Africa head coach Mark Boucher issued a statement on Monday apologising for "any offensive conduct, real or perceived" brought to light during hearings into racism in South African cricket.

South Africa head coach Mark Boucher issued a statement on Monday apologising for "any offensive conduct, real or perceived" brought to light during hearings into racism in South African cricket. The former long-serving Test wicketkeeper made public a 14-page affidavit he submitted to the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) ombudsman, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza. Later on Monday, Cricket South Africa announced Boucher's assistant coach, Enoch Nkwe, had signalled his intention to resign but that talks were being held with him about his future. It was unclear whether Nkwe's planned resignation was linked to revelations at the SJN hearings but a morning newspaper claimed sources said Nkwe felt sidelined. ALSO READ | 'People criticise only important people,' says Ajinkya Rahane over chatter around his form Meanwhile, South Africa limited overs captain Temba Bavuma said at a press conference ahead of a tour of Sri Lanka that Boucher had addressed the players about the allegations against him and provided "clarity and context". Boucher said his sworn statement was a general response to issues with his behaviour during his playing days raised by black cricketers at the hearings. He said he would prefer to deal "one-on-one" with specific allegations by former team-mates that he had offended. But he did go into detail about allegations that he and other white players adapted in an offensive fashion the lyrics of a Boney M song 'Brown Girl in the Ring' and sung it at spin bowler Paul Adams during a team fines meetings. ALSO READ | INDvsENG: Mark Wood injury adds to England pace problems ahead of third Test Boucher said he was a naive young man when he was first selected to play for South Africa as a 20-year-old in 1997, six years after the country returned to international cricket after 21 years of isolation because of apartheid. Boucher said he now realised that players, coaches and management were naive. "To my certain knowledge there had not been any briefing or discussion by Cricket South Africa as to how we deal with the legacy of apartheid," he said, "and how we ensure that there is equality, respect empathy and inclusiveness in the team." Boucher said nothing he had said or done was motivated by malice or racism. He said the current South Africa team was "now in an entirely different space" following "meaningful workshops and discussions about how to create an atmosphere of inclusiveness and a culture of respect". Boucher said there had been "an implicit insinuation" in some media reports and posts on social media that he was a racist. He said these allegations had traumatised him and his family. Boucher said for much of his playing career he had been in charge at fines meetings which usually happened after a series win. They were "light-hearted with lots of laughter, singing and ribbing of teammates." He said he did not know who had initiated the Boney M song insulting Adams but acknowledged that what was seen at the time as playful banter was "totally inappropriate". Bavuma, the country's first black African captain, said the SJN hearings had impacted the team. He said most of the players supported the hearings and hoped that mistakes of the past would enable the current squad "to be able to learn from those experiences and those mistakes by certain individuals which can help us pave the way forward." Bowling coach Charl Langeveldt and fast bowler Junior Dala were late withdrawals from the touring squad because of "Covid protocols". Dala was replaced by fellow fast bowler Lutho Sipamla.

South Africa coach Mark Boucher apologises for past racist behaviour

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Cricket South Africa to launch formal inquiry against Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher over racism allegations

South Africa coach Mark Boucher apologises for past racist behaviour