South Africa's all-rounder Jacques Kallis is in the centre of a controversy over his refusal to sing the national anthem before the start of international matches.

Kallis has cited "good and valid personal reasons" for not singing the country's new national anthem but that has obviously not gone down well with Cricket South Africa, which will take up the matter with the all-rounder once the first Test against India in Johannesburg comes to an end.

Kallis's attitude to the anthem was the subject of a front page report in a leading national daily on Sunday headlined: 'Kallis won't sing national anthem'.

The Sunday Times took up the matter after a reader, Ebrahim Sadak, queried why Kallis was not singing the national anthem.

Sadak wanted to know whether Kallis thought himself as "indispensable" or "anti new South Africa".

Kallis responded by saying: "It is my choice whether I sing or do not sing the anthem. I certainly do not have to explain my reasons to anyone, especially you. I do have good and valid personal reasons and I intend to keep it that way."