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South Africa’s pace ace Kagiso Rabada delivered a sensational performance on Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final against Australia, achieving a significant personal milestone while giving his team an early edge in the contest. The 29-year-old speedster surpassed the legendary Allan Donald to achieve a historic feat in the longest format.
Kagiso Rabada surpasses Allan Donald
Rabada’s five-wicket haul at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground was not just another day at the office—it was a performance that carried historical weight. He surpassed the legendary Donald and became South Africa’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test history. Entering the match tied with Donald on 330 wickets, Rabada needed just one to move ahead. He finished with figures of 5/48, taking his tally to 332 Test wickets. Only Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, and Makhaya Ntini now sit above him in South Africa’s all-time Test wicket-takers list.
Highest wicket-takers for South Africa in Test cricket:
- 439 – Dale Steyn
- 421 – Shaun Pollock
- 390 – Makhaya Ntini
- 332 – Kagiso Rabada
- 330 – Allan Donald
Also WATCH: Marco Jansen bowls a beauty to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne on Day 1 of WTC 2025 Final – SA vs AUS
Rabada’s bowling brilliance headlines opening day of WTC final
Opening the bowling with his trademark intensity, Rabada struck early to send Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green packing. His rhythm never dipped as he later returned to pick up Australia skipper Pat Cummins, followed by the dismissals of Beau Webster and Mitchell Starc, sealing his 17th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Rabada’s brilliance helped the Proteas bundle out the defending champions for a modest 212 in their first innings—an effort that brought South Africa firmly into the contest. However, South Africa couldn’t enjoy a dominant end to the day. Australia’s fast-bowling trio of Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Cummins struck in unison, reducing the Proteas to 43/4 by stumps. The early collapse has left the match finely poised, with both sides eager to seize control on Day 2.
