Last Updated on 1 week by Charbel Coorey
Kagiso Rabada believes South Africa have what it takes to beat Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship Final (WTC) at Lord’s. Rabada, one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, says Test cricket is still alive and it’s the best format for the Proteas at the moment.
South Africa have won seven straight Test matches, sealing qualification to the WTC Final courtesy of a thrilling two-wicket win against Pakistan in Centurion. They then won the second Test by ten wickets in Cape Town.
“One hundred per cent, Test cricket is still alive. It’s our best format that we’ve been playing right now,” Rabada said on SuperSport following victory against Pakistan, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
“When you look at South African cricket and all our legends, they’ve all been great Test cricketers. The world’s best players are Test cricketers, and this series against Pakistan has been a wonderful advertisement for Test cricket, especially in South Africa.”
South Africa vs Australia is a great rivalry – Kagiso Rabada
Rabada spoke highly of the WTC Final, mentioning that it’s a big occasion the Proteas are excited for. In Bangladesh last year, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne said the team spoke about reaching the final on a regular basis.
“It’s actually quite some distance away, but a big occasion like the World Test Championship final gets you up for it,” Rabada said.
The fast bowler is also looking forward to another chapter in the South Africa-Australia rivalry. Both sides play attacking cricket, headlined by excellent fast bowling attacks. There have been fiery matches between the two nations, rearing to its head in the infamous 2018 series.
“South Africa versus Australia has always been an intense rivalry, because we play cricket quite similar. We play hard – and they’re going to come hard at us, and we know that,” Rabada said.
“But we also know how to beat them.”
Rabada has an excellent record against Australia. He has taken 49 wickets in ten Tests at an average of 23.08 and strike rate of 39.9. He forms part of an excellent pace-bowling brigade for the Proteas, which includes Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee and teenager Kwena Maphaka.
In addition to the bowling, South Africa’s batting has also improved, with Temba Bavuma leading the way. The skipper has struck 1,690 runs at an average of 49.7 since the start of 2021, and holds the key against the Australians.
“I think any captain who wants to lead from the front, they want to lead through performance as well, and that’s what Temba’s done exceptionally well,” said coach Shukri Conrad.
“He’s not lost a game as captain of South Africa (winning eight out of nine Tests). Leading from the front, turning out the performances he’s had, he’s probably in the form of his life.
“I haven’t seen him play any better, and that obviously gives you a lot of confidence when you’re captaining as well. I wouldn’t want anyone else to be captaining us.”
The WTC Final will take place at Lord’s on June 11. There is a reserve day in case inclement weather intervenes.
