Kagiso Rabada’s Passion Ignites Historic WTC Win for South Africa
In a moment that will be etched in cricketing history, South Africa, under the inspiring leadership of Temba Bavuma, clinched their first ICC trophy in 27 years by defeating a formidable Australian side in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. At the heart of this triumph was fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, whose fiery spells and unwavering commitment saw him claim a match-defining nine wickets, earning him the rightful spotlight.
Rabada, reflecting on the victory, described it as a career-defining moment for a South African side that, despite being fairly inexperienced, came together just a year ago to achieve the impossible. ‘I’ll never forget this in my life, and none of the boys will,’ Rabada told the ICC, his voice brimming with emotion. ‘We’ve not been together for long, yet we’ve produced this extraordinary result. It’s surreal, and it hasn’t fully sunk in yet.’
What made this win even sweeter for Rabada and his teammates was the caliber of the opposition. Facing an Australian team stacked with seasoned stars—players the younger Proteas idolized during their school days—added a layer of personal triumph. ‘Australia is a well-accustomed side, and with all due respect, a bit of an aging team,’ Rabada remarked. ‘Beating players we grew up watching is incredibly special. It’s given us the belief that we can do this again.’
Rabada’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. With a five-wicket haul in the first innings and relentless pressure in the second, he surpassed Allan Donald to become South Africa’s fourth-highest Test wicket-taker of all time. Impressively, the 28-year-old holds the best strike rate (38.9) among bowlers with over 150 Test wickets, a testament to his lethal prowess. Yet, despite the numbers and accolades, Rabada remains grounded, emphasizing his role as a team player. ‘I don’t see myself as a star. I see myself as someone willing to give my blood for this team,’ he said passionately. ‘I play for the badge with immense pride, always looking to improve and help the team win.’
The second innings, according to Rabada, tested his endurance as fatigue set in, but his focus never wavered. ‘Those second-innings spells count a lot more when you’re tired and behind in the game,’ he admitted. ‘It was about staying calm amidst the chaos. Suddenly, all mayhem broke loose—we took five wickets in a flurry of overs. It was a crazy game of cricket.’
For Rabada, the mental battle was as crucial as the physical one. ‘There are always two voices in your head—one that doubts and one that believes,’ he explained. ‘In big moments like the WTC final, we kept feeding the voice of belief. That’s why you saw the performances you saw. It’s a testament to our team spirit this season.’
As South Africa basks in the glory of ending a long trophy drought, Rabada’s words and heroics stand as a beacon of hope for a team on the rise. With 293 Test wickets at the time of this victory and countless records within reach, the fast bowler’s hunger to improve and his dedication to the Proteas promise more memorable chapters in South African cricket history. For now, though, let’s celebrate a victory that was as emotional as it was historic—a triumph of grit, belief, and Kagiso Rabada’s unrelenting passion.