“Nation Swells with Pride” at Rabada’s Record-Breaking Performance!

Congratulations to Kagiso Rabada on becoming the youngest South African to take seven wickets in a test innings.

The 20-year-old made South Africa proud today with his performance on day three in the final test against England, at Centurion’s SuperSport Park in Pretoria.

Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalula, tweeted: “youngest fast bowler to get 7 wickets in 1 innings #Rabada WINNER ✊?✊?????”

And the Department of Sport & Recreation posted a message on Twitter to Kagiso saying: “the nation swells with pride at your remarkable performance. #Rabada #SAvsENG #SAsportingtalent”

The Proteas player, who matriculated from St Stithians Boys College in 2013, made his Test debut for South Africa only two months ago – in November against India. And this is his fifth test for the nation.

The awesome achievement today of the right-arm fast bowler, who bats left-handed, helped propel his team to major advantage in the four-day final. His performance gave South Africa a lead of 133 runs which was extended to 175 by the close…giving South Africa its first hope of victory in nine Tests.

Rabada’s return of 7 for 112 followed his first ever five-wicket haul in Test cricket in the previous Test match at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium where he took 5/78. He has now taken 16 wickets in the series which is just one behind current leader, Stuart Broad.

Rabada’s career has been one worth watching since he made his debut for Gauteng just over two years ago in December 2013. The youngster made his Twenty20 International debut for South Africa against Australia in November the following year, and his first One Day International debut was against Bangladesh in July 2015, with his Test debut (as mentioned above) in November last year.

Apart from his brilliant results, he’s renowned for his healthy attitude to winning and losing.

At a press conference on Tuesday he said there will always be ups and down in both life and cricket, and stressed how important it was that the Proteas “stick together as a team and stay positive.”

His Twitter feed is filled with positive quotations including one that being positive doesn’t mean ignoring the negative, but overcoming it.

On the eve of this final test, former Olympic swimmer Ryk Neethling posted the following quote with a message to Kagiso that said: “go get ’em mate! You are the man in the arena!”

Today the Department of Sport and Recreation retweeted the post, saying: “And indeed he was the man in the arena: “The man who knows in the end the #triumph of high #achievement” #Rabada.”

On Twitter

@KagisoRabada25 – the nation swells with pride at your remarkable performance. #Rabada #SAvsENG #SAsportingtalent pic.twitter.com/Oas3aHL81k

— Dep. Sport & Rec (@SPORTandREC_RSA) January 24, 2016