Disciplinary proceedings against South Africa head coach Mark Boucher over charges of racism were postponed on Tuesday until May, after his lawyers requested that the current Proteas players be allowed to testify in his favour.

Former spinner Paul Adams last year alleged he was subjected to racial discrimination and name-calling during his time with the national team, with Boucher later apologising for any “offensive conduct, real or perceived”.

Adams played for South Africa between 1995 and 2004, during which Boucher was wicket-keeper.

Advocate Terry Motau, chairing the inquiry set up by Cricket South Africa, said he had decided to postpone the hearing in light of the request from Boucher’s legal team for current players to testify. Cricket South Africa had wanted it to be held from March 7-11.

South Africa travel to New Zealand for a two-Test series starting February 17, and later host Bangladesh from March 18. Boucher’s team indicated that having a hearing between the two tours would be disruptive.

Test captain Dean Elgar said the team will show “support” for Boucher. “Cricket comes first for us,” Elgar told reporters ahead of the team’s departure for New Zealand on Wednesday.

“But we are supporting him through this process because we know how much value he adds to our system and our group. He is a massive part of it.

“It is just another hurdle in our path that we have to get over. We need to stick together, which we have done in the past, and let this process follow its course.”

Keegan Petersen, the hero of South Africa's recent home Test series win over India, was ruled out of their tour of New Zealand after testing positive for Covid-19.