London - Thabang Molefe, whose challenge broke a bone in David Beckham's thumb, has apologised and said he did not mean to harm the England captain.
The 23-year-old South African defender clashed with Beckham in the first half of the friendly international in Durban, breaking his scaphoid, the bone leading from the thumb to the wrist.
Molefe said he wanted a Zulu healer to aid Beckham's recovery. "He will not use medicine from a hospital, but instead he will use leaves and trees.
"I feel sorry for him. I only realised after the match that his thumb was broken," Molefe continued. "I tried to talk to him, but the media were all around him. If I had spoken to him I would have apologised."
He added: "I am a United fan. Beckham is a very big player, one of the best in the world. Injury is part of the game. But my intention was to clear the ball - I wasn't going for his arm or any part of his body.
"I am a Manchester United fan. I respect Beckham very much."
Beckham could be in plaster for up to two months but is expected to be fit enough for Manchester United's tour of the United States in July.
Beckham winced with pain after the foul for which Molefe was cautioned and he made way for Jermaine Jenas six minutes into the second half of Thursday's match.
England won 2-1 through goals from defender Gareth Southgate after 36 seconds and striker Emile Heskey in the 64th minute. Striker Benni McCarthy levelled for Bafana Bafana (The Boys) from a first half penalty. - Sapa-AFP