Rabada’s numbers in the tournament — four wickets in six matches — may not reflect his usual dominance, but Bavuma insists the senior quick remains a vital figure. He pointed to Rabada’s impactful spell of 2/22 against the West Indies as evidence of his enduring class. According to Bavuma, dropped catches off Rabada’s bowling have masked what could have been far more impressive figures.
“I think he has also been unlucky, right, where there have been a lot of drop catches of his bowling. I mean, his figures could have looked a lot different there. So, I mean, for me, from a captain’s point of view, I would not be unhappy with his performances,” Bavuma explained.
The Proteas captain also praised the collective strength of South Africa’s pace unit. Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch have all delivered consistently, ensuring that the burden has not fallen solely on Rabada. Bavuma noted that it is rare for four fast bowlers in the same side to peak simultaneously, yet South Africa’s attack has largely achieved that balance.
Beyond statistics, Bavuma emphasized Rabada’s stature within the squad. At 30, with nearly 600 international wickets, he described him as a complete “package” — a bowler who thrives under pressure. He referenced Rabada’s standout performance in the World Test Championship final, where he rose to the occasion when scrutiny was highest.
“If I were a betting man, I would definitely put money on him to do something special,” Bavuma added, expressing confidence that Rabada’s defining moment in this tournament could still be around the corner.
