South Africa's sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, has added his voice to the growing backlash at Afghanistan's participation in next month's ICC Champions Trophy, after comparing the Taliban regime's treatment of women in the country to Apartheid,

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is 40 days away, but the controversies are taking no stopping, as the South Africa Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, is the latest person to join the boycott movement of the mega event.

Gayton McKenzie stated that it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when equal access is not allowed to the women of Afghanistan to play sports

South Africa’s sports minister has joined public calls for the Proteas to boycott the Champions Trophy game against Afghanistan next month.

McKenzie also termed the International Cricket Council (ICC) as hypocritical for not upholding its own mandates that member nations develop men's and women's cricket.

McKenzie urges his country’s cricket governing body not to honour the Champions Trophy fixture against Afghanistan.

South Africa's Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has openly backed the increasing calls to boycott Afghanistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy. His position comes in line with British politicians who have called on England to not play against Afghanistan next month.

Seven MPs and peers from Northern Ireland back boycott due to the Taliban's oppression of women.