South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has forgiven Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed for his controversial comments, during the second ODI in Durban.

Du Plessis added that his counterpart’s apology shows that he takes responsibility for it and regrets what happened but having said that, they are not taking the matter lightly.

"We forgive him because he said sorry," du Plessis said after South Africa's training session on Thursday. "He has apologised and taken responsibility for it. It is out of our hands and ICC will have to deal with it now. We're not taking it lightly, but that fact that there was an immediate apology shows there is regret. We can forgive but that doesn't mean we brush it under the table."

The Proteas skipper added: "When you come to South Africa, you have to be very careful when you make racial comments. I am sure he didn't mean it like that but he has taken responsibility and we will have to see what the outcome of that is going to be.”

Speaking about Phehlukwayo’s reaction, Du Plessis said that the all-rounder did not notice the severity of the incident.

"Andy [Phehlukwayo] says he didn't even notice it and thus felt it wasn't really directed at him," du Plessis said. "I suppose maybe because we didn't understand it makes a bit of a difference."