Kagiso Rabada delivered a decisive spell of fast bowling to finish with figures of 5/54, tearing through New Zealand’s lower order and placing South Africa firmly in control of the second Test at Cape Town. His performance was a classic exhibition of pace bowling — aggressive, relentless, and perfectly suited to home conditions — and it ensured South Africa secured a valuable first-innings advantage.
Rabada’s impact was felt from the moment he returned for his later spells. While New Zealand’s top and middle order showed patches of resistance, it was Rabada who ensured those efforts did not translate into a competitive total. As the innings wore on and the ball softened, he found extra lift and movement through subtle changes in length rather than raw swing, proving once again why he remains South Africa’s strike weapon in Test cricket.
The defining phase came against the lower order. With New Zealand looking to push beyond 260 and add crucial runs, Rabada stepped up with a burst that broke the innings open. He attacked the stumps relentlessly, mixed in short balls with precision, and forced batters into hurried decisions. The wickets fell quickly, and what could have been a fighting total stalled at 238.
Rabada’s five-for was not about flashy spells but sustained pressure. His economy kept the scoring rate in check, while his aggression ensured batters never felt settled. Even when wickets were not falling, his spells created pressure at the other end, allowing South Africa’s bowling unit to operate as a cohesive force.
What stood out was Rabada’s control of intensity. He bowled long, demanding spells without losing pace or accuracy, showing maturity alongside his natural aggression. His ability to strike just when New Zealand looked to rebuild underlined his value not just as a wicket-taker, but as a momentum-shifter.
The dismissal of the tail also had a psychological impact. By cleaning up the innings efficiently, Rabada denied New Zealand any late momentum and ensured South Africa would bat with confidence rather than urgency. In Test cricket, those final 30–40 runs often shape the match narrative, and Rabada made sure New Zealand were cut short.
This performance also reinforced Rabada’s reputation at Cape Town, a venue where bounce and carry reward fast bowlers willing to attack. His spell reminded observers that even on pitches that don’t offer extravagant movement, discipline and pace can still dominate.
For New Zealand, Rabada’s spell exposed a recurring issue — the inability of the lower order to survive sustained high-quality fast bowling. While the top order showed application, the tail struggled to handle Rabada’s intensity once pressure mounted.
As South Africa moved into their batting innings with a clear advantage, Rabada’s 5/54 stood out as the key contribution of the day. It was the kind of spell that doesn’t just win sessions, but tilts entire Test matches. With bowlers like Rabada leading the attack, South Africa once again showed why they remain one of the most formidable Test sides at home.
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