Kagiso Rabada willing to give everything for South Africa after historic WTC final win

"There are always two voices in your head-the one that doubts and the one that believes," Rabada said at Lord's. "You have to feed the second, especially in moments like this."

Rabada led from the front with a match-defining second-innings spell, helping dismiss Australia cheaply and giving South Africa a fighting chance. Despite a first-innings collapse of their own, the Proteas rebounded through inspired bowling-Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and the rest of the attack combining to restrict Australia to a chaseable target of 282.

Head coach Shukri Conrad credited the turnaround to the bowlers' second-innings efforts. "KG's a superstar," he said. "He knew we had one shot, and he took it."

Rabada, though, refused the label. "I don't see myself as a star. I see myself as someone willing to give my blood for this team."

Now fourth on South Africa's all-time wicket list, Rabada continues to prioritize the team over individual accolades. "Those second-innings spells matter more - when you're tired and the game's in the balance. That's where character shows."

The character of this squad has been shaped over years of shared struggle. Many players - Rabada, Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton - came through the same schools and age-group sides. Their bond is more than professional; it's personal.

Even after Ngidi's underwhelming first innings, Rabada offered nothing but support. "He had a steak, a milkshake, watched a movie - and came back strong," he laughed.

Ngidi responded with a devastating middle-order burst that all but sealed Australia's fate and justified his selection for conditions promising bounce and movement.

With eight consecutive Test wins and a first-ever global trophy, South Africa's young core is hitting its stride. Rabada summed it up best:

"I'll never forget this. None of the boys will. We beat a team we grew up watching. That makes it all the more meaningful."

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