Pollock says the selectors should be given more credit

"There's got to be a balance. We're not biased at all; we're doing what we think is best for South African cricket."

With South Africa down 2-0 in the series going into the final Test in Australia, Pollock accepted that the situation could be seen as an opportunity to bring in lesser players. But he argued that, with a further three Tests to be played between the two sides in South Africa in February, victory in Sydney remained important.

"You can accept it when playing against the weaker sides but this is a critical time in South African cricket and that is why people are getting upset."

Sonn said that he intervened in the selection on a matter of policy - a right invested in him as president.

"The team was given to me without a certain player of colour [Ontong] who was selected to fill in a position in the batting list," Sonn said

"So I intervened and I said, `you take this team back and this is how I understand the policy and this policy must be complied with. You go back and reformulate your team'.

"Shuffling, to me, amounts to exclusion of a person of colour who has the right to be given the opportunity."

Selection policy

The UCBSA has a rule of picking at least three coloured players for domestic matches and an unwritten policy of picking at least one non-white player for the Test team.

That requirement was met by the inclusion of Herschelle Gibbs in the team, but Sonn argued that the policy has a wider remit.

Sonn ordered that the team sheet be changed

"The other policy says that if there is an opportunity for a person of colour to represent his country then we must make sure that he does get that opportunity," said Sonn.

"I regarded that as not having been complied with. "

The policy has raised controversy in the past, and caused Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour to get involved when black fast bowler Makhaya Ntini was dropped for a Test in the West Indies in March 2001.

And the Sports Ministry became involved again when the same player was dropped for the second Test in Melbourne.

Sonn revealed that he had talked to South African captain Shaun Pollock, Graeme's nephew, about his decision to order the selection of Ontong.

The all-rounder, whose off-spin bowling could be useful on the Sydney pitch, has not enjoyed the best tour of Australia so far.

He struggled against New South Wales at the Sydney ground and was dismissed for a pair.

"That was raised with me but I didn't regard that as cogent enough for me not to take action," Sonn said.

"And how do you determine form? When do you start gazing into the future and saying when form is going to be permanent?"

Ontong conceded 10 runs from two overs during the first day of the Sydney Test.