The proposed South African T20 World Cup squad announced last month included six non-white players. Rabada, Reza Henriques, Jorn Fortuwin, Keshav Maharaj, Tabriz Shamsi and Adneel Partman were the 6 players. However, Kagiso Rabada is the only black player in the recently announced T20 World Cup squad. Lungi Ingadi is a reserve player. Subsequently, former sports minister Fikili Mapalula criticized the South African board, saying, “It is unacceptable that there is only one African player after the changes. This appears to reverse the gains from liberation. “There is not proper representation of all South Africans in the team.”

Former ICC and Cricket South Africa chairman Ray Malley said, “A lot has been achieved and today we have taken a step backward in cricket selection. We have moved from progressive to regressive. I can't understand why there aren't more black players. No. This can never be accepted.” He scolded him. But South Africa's white-ball cricket coach Rob Walter has been unable to offer any positive response to the criticism, saying, “The aim is to build a winning team first.” Meanwhile, socio-political realities in South Africa have still not changed… Why? Many people are raising questions on that.