Leader of the pack Kagiso Rabada says he’s no ‘Rambo’

It sounds weird to consider the 22-year-old Kagiso Rabada as a wise veteran but that’s exactly what he is for the Proteas in the second Test against Bangladesh.

Granted, he’s been forced into this situation by South Africa fast bowling injury crisis but he clearly doesn’t mind this temporary role.

Also read: Bumbling Bangladesh gift Proteas a powerful position

Rabada might’ve led the way in destroying a pitiful Bangladeshi batting order with a fine haul of 5/33 though that wasn’t what brought him the most joy.

Instead, he enjoyed getting a glimpse of what a Proteas future – at least from a bowling perspective – could look like.

After all, Rabada shared eight wickets with new-ball partner Duanne Olivier.

“We were sitting down and I was speaking to Quinny (de Kock) saying that all the guys we played with and against at school are all in the team now,” he said on Saturday evening with the Proteas in a commanding position.

“South Africa is in good hands in the future, and getting them involved now, they’ve been exposed to international cricket.”

However, Rabada isn’t naive enough get overly excited by this performance.

Bangladesh, to date, have been inadequate opposition for the Proteas, who still need to meet India and Australia this season.

South Africa also didn’t necessarily bowl all that consistently as the Liton Das, the visitors’ wicketkeeper, showed in his classy knock.

“I thought we missed our mark with him at times, giving him freebies so that’s something we have to talk about and execute so it doesn’t happen again. It gets much tougher than Bangladesh, of course. You can play them in their conditions and it’s a different story. It gets harder from here. This is not it,” said Rabada.

Despite clearly embracing responsibility from a young age, he still insists that he’s just a regular member of the team and doesn’t let expectations suffocate him.

“Nothing changes. From the first time I came into the team, I had a job to do. Now it’s the same thing,” said Rabada.

“There is expectation and there will be pressure. No-one is a Rambo, we are all human beings. You have to find ways to cope with it. The best players and the guys who have been in the longest have found ways to cope with it. Sometimes it can get bigger and you have to find a new way to deal with it.”