Charl Langeveldt's decision to quit the Proteas tour of India is one of the bravest decisions ever made by a South African sportsman. And it could very well be one of the most important since SA's re-admission into the international arena.

Transformation and quotas have always stirred debate. The decision to select a black player instead of a white player because of quotas has happened many times before — across all sports. Justin Ontong was forced into the Proteas, Breyton Paulse (at a time when his form had dropped alarmingly) was included in the Springboks at the expense of Jaque Fourie, water polo teams have been eliminated for not having enough black players… the list goes on and on.

These selections have always counted against both players, black and white. The white player has felt he was unjustly omitted, while the black player could no longer feel he was there on ability alone.

But never before has a black player opted out of his selection. Langeveldt's decision to withdraw from the Proteas squad has for the first time highlighted how quota selections continue to work against the very person they are attempting to help!

I feel incredibly sorry for Langeveldt, who was reportedly considering quitting international cricket outright, as he is the furthest thing from a 'quota' player that there is. His abilities in the one-day format of the game are well known and nobody can argue that he deserves his place in the side, but his Test stats are not as good — a fact that he admitted himself on Wednesday.

This whole episode has done him an enormous disservice and there are a number of individuals who need to take a long, hard look at themselves over their behaviour of late — none more so than Cricket South Africa President Norman Arendse whose motives, while packed with good intentions (I am giving him the benefit of the doubt here), are totally misplaced.

Perhaps now that he can see the reaction of players selected purely on their skin colour he will finally understand why it is such a poor policy. Langevedlt is a professional sportsman, who has proven his worth through his perseverance, hard work and God-given talents.

The last thing he wants to be known as is a charity case or a quota player…

But, of course, administrators and politicians seldom admit to their mistakes. They tend to build on them. A replacement for Langeveldt has already been named — Cobras seamer Monde Zondeki — and already the reports have begun focusing on the colour of his skin.

The Cobras seamer has been one of the top performers at domestic level this season, but there are many who will now consider him a 'quota player'… and that is a tragedy.

Langeveldt's decision should be seen as a chance to reflect on the issue of quotas. Are they working to the detriment of our national teams and sportsmen — black and white? For me the answer is simple, Langeveldt has made it quite clear that it is. But will the people who matter see things the same way? We'll have to wait and see.

Send me all your thoughts to rob@metropolis.co.za.