Kallis believes enforcing the death penalty will significantly decrease the number of murders in South Africa

South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis has called for the restoration of the death penalty in the country after the brutal murder of a former first-class cricketer, who had strong links with many players in the current side.

Flags at the Newlands stadium were lowered to half mast in remembrance of John Commins.

Via his Twitter account, Kallis stated that he was disgusted with the amount of crime in South Africa and added that the death penalty should be reconsidered as an option to help decrease the murder rates in the country.

“Thoughts and prayers with @DonneCommins and family. Tragic news. Something really has to be done about the crime in this country #deathpenalty,” Kallis said.

Donne Commins, who is the daughter of the victim, is currently the agent of many of the South African players, including Morne and Albie Morkel, Herschelle Gibbs and Mark Boucher, who is Kallis’ best friend and was forced to retire last July after a freak eye injury during a warm-up match against Somerset.

Cricket South Africa were planning to honour Boucher for his illustrious career and help promote his Save the Rhino foundation, which tackles the growing problem of poachers in the country, but were forced to postpone the event due to the murder.

“Donne has been very close to me for most of my career and has been much more to me than a business partner,” Boucher said in a statement. “She has been incredibly supportive over the past few months in particular during which time she has been a tremendous pillar of support.”

Boucher is now set to be honoured during South Africa’s second Test against Pakistan in Cape Town.