Born in Johannesburg on 25 May 1995, Rabada is a right-arm fast bowler known for his pace, accuracy and ability to produce decisive spells under pressure.
He first captured international attention at the 2014 Under-19 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Rabada took 14 wickets as South Africa won the tournament for the first time.
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His defining performance came in the semi-final against Australia, where he claimed 6-25 to dismiss them for 150 and secure an 80-run victory.
Rabada made his Proteas debut in a T20I
Rabada made his Proteas debut in a T20I against Australia in November 2014, before making an unforgettable start to his ODI career against Bangladesh the following year.
He claimed a hat-trick and finished with figures of 6-16, the best bowling performance by an ODI debutant. The spell immediately established him as the natural successor to South Africa’s great fast bowlers.
Rabada made his Test debut against India in Mohali in November 2015. His first major performance in the format arrived against England at Centurion two months later.
Only 20, he took 7-112 and 6-32
Still only 20, he took 7-112 and 6-32 to finish with match figures of 13-144. Rabada became the youngest South African to claim 10 wickets in a Test, while only Makhaya Ntini has produced better match figures for the Proteas.
His progress continued rapidly. Rabada reached the top of both the Test and ODI bowling rankings and became the youngest bowler in history to collect 150 Test wickets.
In October 2024, he became the fastest bowler to reach 300 Test wickets in terms of deliveries. His combination of express pace and an exceptional strike rate placed him among the format’s greatest wicket-takers.
Rabada produced one of his most important performances
Rabada produced one of his most important performances in the 2025 World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s. He claimed 5-51 and 4-59 as South Africa secured a five-wicket victory and ended a 27-year wait for a major ICC trophy.
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The fast bowler has also been successful in franchise cricket. He won the IPL Purple Cap after taking 30 wickets in 2020 and became the fastest player to reach 100 wickets in the competition three years later. Rabada claimed the Purple Cap for a second time in 2026 after taking 29 wickets for the Gujarat Titans.
Rabada’s greatest strength is his ability to threaten batsmen in any conditions. He can swing the new ball, extract bounce, reverse the older ball and maintain his pace during demanding spells.
With 340 wickets from 73 Tests, Rabada is already fourth on South Africa’s all-time list. His career has moved beyond early promise and into greatness, with the Proteas spearhead continuing to build a legacy alongside the country’s finest fast bowlers.
Source: www.sacricketmag.com
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