Kagiso Rabada, one of South Africa’s top bowlers, says the team should celebrate having Australia as opponents in the World Test Championship finals and focus on lifting the trophy.
Upcoming Series Against Australia
South Africa’s next series includes three T20 matches and three ODIs against Australia in Darwin, with Rabada leading the bowling attack. Fans are eagerly anticipating the clash, especially after the memorable Australian-South Africa encounter in late June, widely regarded as one of the season’s best matches.
Reflections on Past Matches
Rabada reflected, “I think it was special, and I’ve done so many interviews on that since.” He added, “I don’t think as a team, we can forget, but it is time to steer clear of focusing on that for the time being.” The five-wicket win in the WTC finals, after near misses in limited-overs World Cups, felt like a burden lifted off the team’s shoulders.
Focus on the T20 World Cup
“There is always going to be this display of the show being carried on, and the T20 World Cup is going to be highly dictated by the other teams yielding to South Africa in competitions,” Rabada added.
Rivalry with Australia
Rabada is relishing the renewed rivalry: “Always some hard cricket being played, some good cricket. For as much as I have ever played Australia, I have a feeling they tend to bring out the best in us, because they are in our faces. And I guess we like that.”
Rest and Recovery
“Thank gosh I got a break, it sure has been making for an enjoyable time. Some form of maintenance work has to be done for the sheer amount of cricket played,” Rabada commented.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Tours and World Cups
South Africa will tour Australia over the coming months, right before the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year, and ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup in Southern Africa. The tour is focused on giving younger players valuable exposure. You can follow more updates on SportFlashHQ.
Excitement for the New Generation
“Excitement is an understatement for the feeling of a new team and generation. It is the best feeling witnessing a team so amped to put in the work. With so much potential to play with, it does beg the question of where the team stands,” Rabada concluded.