EXCLUSIVE: It's all about the medals not numbers for me, says Proteas' Kagiso Rabada

“Any great gift of power or talent is a burden ... But there is nothing to be done. 

“If you were born with the gift, then you must serve it, and nothing in this world or out of it may stand in the way of that service, because that is why you were born and that is the Law,” writes Susan Cooper, an English author of children’s books. 

I can’t help but think Cooper’s words may have been prescribed for Proteas superstar Kagiso Rabada. 

A Junior World Champion at 18. Now a World Test Champion at 30. It’s as if Rabada’s script was written for him.

“I think it's amazing, man. So many times we've been inspired by various South Africans… South Africans going around the world, showing their best putting their best foot forward,” Rabada exclusively told Independent Media.

“The rugby did that, the football did that. And now it was our turn.

“It's just crazy how many South Africans are doing so well. So, luckily, we could do that.

“I mean, we have done well, but we needed that silverware, and we got it. You check guys on the podium lifting whatever they're lifting up.

"You're like, 'I want to be on that stage. Be the best team'. And we were the best team.

“So, I think it's a massive relief. We're glad that we could contribute to the hope that we give to the country.”

The sense of duty to Mzansi filters through Rabada’s voice. Even more so now after he recently succumbed to his own desires for once.

But again as if Cooper’s words were ringing in his ears, Rabada took responsibility for his actions, and began plotting the way forward about how best he could serve his country with the God-given talents he was bestowed with. 

There was no bigger stage to redeem himself than the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s. 

History tells us that Rabada had the Dukes' ball zinging up the Lord’s slope as he scythed through the Australian batting line-up on a rip-roaring opening day with the talisman etching his name on the Lord’s Honours Board yet again with a second five-wicket haul at The Home of Cricket. 

In the process, he moved past the original torchbearer of South African fast bowling Allan Donald to confirm his status among the pantheon of greats. 

He now has 336 Test wickets with only Makhaya Ntini (390), Shaun Pollock (421) and Dale Steyn (439) on the all-time national wicket-takers' list. 

With the Proteas currently limited to two-match series, and not having a single home red-ball fixture for the entire 2025/26 international season, it may require a superhuman effort from Rabada to ultimately overtake Steyn at the top of the perch. 

Considering the circumstances, the current two-match series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo would have been low-lying fruit for Rabada to pluck in a bid to close the gap on Steyn.

But much like his U19 captain and WTC Player of the Match, Aiden Markram, who said after Lord’s, that “I'm not here to chase numbers and stats and things like that. I really just want to win stuff for South Africa now,” Rabada sings from the same hymn sheet.

“It's not about me going to Zim and wanting to clean up... Get closer or whatever. No, it's not about that,” he said.

“For me, I think it will be more about the medals, to be honest. I won that World Cup with the team.

“Yes, to be honest. If I get there, it will be a massive honour, because, man, Dale Steyn, he's a weapon. He's a legend!

“I just messaged Alan Donald the other day when I went past him.

“I said to him, jeez, man, I'm so honoured and privileged to be rubbing in the same category of aura that you're in. 

“To get Dale Steyn's record, I mean, that would be fantastic, just because of the calibre of the man. But the team comes first. Whatever the team can do will trump any of my individual performances. 

“You know, it (cricket) can be so turbulent, but it can be extremely rewarding.”