Johannesburg: Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the South African Sports Minister have denied reports that the selection of pacer Vernon Philander ahead of fast bowler Kyle Abbott for their team's World Cup semi-final against New Zealand was racially motivated.

Philander was called into the South African XI in place of Abbott for last week's match against the Black Caps in Auckland, which the Proteas lost by four wickets. Philander had missed four of South Africa's seven World Cup matches before the semi-finals after he picked up a hamstring niggle during the pool stages.