Rabada ready to defend home fortress at World Cup

The Proteas spearhead believes home conditions and recent tournament progress can fuel South Africa’s push for a maiden 50-over world title.

Kagiso Rabada says South Africa will embrace home advantage rather than pressure when they chase a maiden 50-over World Cup title in 2027.

South Africa will stage the tournament alongside Zimbabwe and Namibia. Expectations will follow, but Rabada views the familiar conditions and home support as sources of freedom.

Speaking to the ICC at the venue announcement in Johannesburg, the fast bowler said South Africa would be ready to “defend this fortress”.

Rabada has represented the Proteas at the 2019 and 2023 editions. South Africa struggled in England before reaching the semi-finals in India, where Australia ended their campaign.

That progression, combined with their World Test Championship triumph over Australia at Lord’s in 2025, has strengthened belief within the squad. Rabada played a central role in that final and believes the side has proved it can handle knockout matches.

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“The confidence is there. The belief is most definitely there,” he said.

South Africa’s task now is to take the final step in a white-ball tournament. They have reached five men’s 50-over World Cup semi-finals without advancing to the decider, making the opportunity on home soil significant.

Rabada also pointed to Wasim Akram’s match-winning spell in the 1992 final as one of his defining World Cup memories. The Pakistan great dismissed Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis with successive deliveries, turning the match against England at the MCG.

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The South African quick admired the pace, skill and presence Akram brought to the occasion. He hopes to produce a performance with similar weight when the competition arrives in southern Africa.

Rabada will be 32 during the tournament and should remain central to the Proteas attack. His experience, strike power and knowledge of local conditions give South Africa a bowler capable of deciding the biggest matches.

After conquering Test cricket, the Proteas will now aim to carry that belief into a home World Cup.

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Photo: Sameer Ali/Getty Images

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