Temba Bavuma Backs Kagiso Rabada Ahead of T20 World Cup Semifinal

As South Africa gears up for the T20 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, captain Temba Bavuma has voiced his unwavering support for pace bowler Kagiso Rabada. Despite Rabada's struggles in the tournament, Bavuma believes in his potential to deliver a standout performance. With a strong bowling lineup and Rabada's impressive track record in ICC knockout matches, the Proteas are hopeful for success. Bavuma's insights into Rabada's role and the team's dynamics provide an intriguing glimpse into their preparations for this crucial match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 4, 2026, 14:12 IST

Bavuma's Confidence in Rabada

Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa's World Test Championship-winning team, has expressed his confidence in pace bowler Kagiso Rabada as they prepare for their T20 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on Wednesday. Bavuma shared his thoughts during a media interaction following the Proteas' last Super Eight match against Zimbabwe at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.

Rabada's Performance in the Tournament

Despite being instrumental in South Africa's first WTC title with a nine-wicket haul against Australia at Lord's last year, Rabada has faced challenges in this T20 World Cup. The 30-year-old fast bowler, who is on the verge of reaching 600 international wickets, has managed only four wickets in six matches, with an average of 47.25 and an economy rate of 7.98. His standout performance of 2/22 against the West Indies was overshadowed by three matches without a wicket against India, UAE, and New Zealand. He was also rested for the final Super Eight match, with 19-year-old Kwena Maphaka and Anrich Nortje stepping in.

Bavuma Defends His Star Bowler

In his comments, Bavuma highlighted the collective strength of the Proteas' bowling lineup, which includes Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and Anrich Nortje. He noted that the team is fortunate to have such talented bowlers and mentioned Rabada's misfortune with dropped catches during the tournament. Bavuma stated, "If you look at how Lungi, Marco, and Bosch have performed, they have all been exceptional. Rabada's last outing against the West Indies was impressive, and he has been unlucky with dropped catches that could have changed his figures significantly. As a captain, I am satisfied with his contributions."

Rabada's Inspirational Role

Bavuma described Rabada as an 'inspirational' player, emphasizing his extensive experience and impressive wicket tally of 590. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with significant matches but believes Rabada can rise to the occasion. Bavuma remarked, "He is a key figure in our team. I expect him to continue performing well. In high-pressure situations, he has shown he can deliver, as seen in the WTC final where he took nine wickets. If I had to place a bet, I would wager on him to shine in the semifinal."

Rabada's Knockout Stage Record

In ICC knockout matches, Rabada has an impressive record, having taken 15 wickets in five matches and six innings, averaging 18.06. His notable performances include a five-wicket haul and a four-wicket haul. Besides his nine-wicket performance in the WTC final, he also recorded figures of 2/14 against Afghanistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal. Remarkably, he has never finished a knockout stage game without taking a wicket for the Proteas.