CSA is being taken to court over its decision to remove David Teeger as the captain of the SA U19 team before the U19 World Cup in South Africa. In January, Teeger, who is 19 years old, was stripped of his captaincy by CSA citing "safety" concerns related to comments he made about Israel during the Rising Star of the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards ceremony in November. Teeger had expressed support for the young soldiers in Israel who were fighting against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Despite being removed as captain, Teeger still played in all six matches for the SA U19 team. However, CSA claimed that the threat of protests during the U19 World Cup prompted their decision. Human rights protection NGO Citizens for Integrity has filed papers in the Gauteng Division of the High Court, arguing that CSA's actions were unlawful, unconstitutional, and irrational.
Citizens for Integrity's attorney, Daniel Witz, stated that they hope the court will declare that CSA acted unlawfully and irrationally. He questioned why Teeger was considered a security threat as captain but not as a team member, and why CSA did not implement any protective measures if there was a genuine threat. Witz criticised CSA for failing to ensure the safety of their players and accused them of violating Teeger's rights and the rights of all South Africans.
The lawsuit aims to bring attention to the importance of protecting freedom of speech and all rights, despite the impossibility of reinstating Teeger as captain for the concluded tournament.