Kagiso Rabada is full of confidence after leading South Africa to their seventh consecutive Test win, now setting his sights on the mighty Australian team for the World Test Championship final. His message is clear: “We know how to beat them.”

Rabada’s recent performance against Pakistan was nothing short of spectacular. With a six-wicket haul, he powered South Africa to a dominating 10-wicket victory in the second Test. This win highlights how well this young, evolving Proteas side is coming together as a unit. The team’s form and Rabada’s fiery bowling make him a key player as they aim for glory at Lord’s this June.

Though South Africa enters the final as the underdog, Rabada draws confidence from past series wins against Australia in 2016-17 and 2017-18. Speaking on SuperSport after the Pakistan series, he emphasized how matches between the two sides are always intense due to their similar aggressive playing styles. “They’re going to come at us hard, but we’re ready. We know how to beat them,” he said.

Rabada also stressed the importance of Test cricket, saying it’s the format where legends are born. “When you look at South African cricket history, our greatest players have been Test cricketers. This Pakistan series has been a great showcase for Test cricket in our country,” he added.

While Australia has a two-Test series against Sri Lanka lined up as preparation for the final, South Africa currently has no Tests scheduled before June. However, coach Shukri Conrad is working on arranging a warm-up match, potentially in the UK against teams like Ireland or Afghanistan. If that doesn’t pan out, the Proteas plan to arrive early in England and set up a training camp, likely in Canterbury.

Selection for the Lord’s final will be challenging, thanks to South Africa’s impressive pool of fast bowlers. Options include Rabada, rising star Kwena Maphaka, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, and others. This depth gives the team an edge as they prepare for one of their biggest challenges yet.

At the heart of South Africa’s resurgence is captain Temba Bavuma, who’s been in phenomenal form. According to Conrad, Bavuma has been leading by example, delivering stellar performances throughout the summer. Under his leadership, South Africa has won eight out of nine Tests, with Bavuma arguably playing the best cricket of his career. “I wouldn’t want anyone else captaining us,” Conrad said confidently.

With momentum on their side and a determined squad, South Africa is gearing up for a thrilling showdown against Australia at cricket’s most iconic venue. The stage is set for an epic battle!