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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada whilst with Kent at the Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells in July 2016.

Kagiso Rabada is a well-known international cricketer from South Africa. He was born on 25^th May 1995 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

His father, Mpho is a doctor and his mother, Florence is a lawyer. He has one brother named Atlegang Rabada. He was born of Tswana and Venda ancestry.

He is a right-arm fast bowler and plays all formats of the game. Rabada spent his early years with his paternal grandparents who allowed the parents to go for further studies.

He went to St Stithians Boys College and left in 2013. He was nicknamed KG.

Below are ten fascinating facts about Kagiso Rabada since his birth in 1995

1. Kagiso Rabada was Brought Up by Conscientious Parents

Kagiso was brought up by very sensitive parents in Johannesburg. His father was a great doctor who taught him to be grounded. He always accompanied his father whenever he visited the poor black neighbors.

During his childhood, he loved meat and fish and would not understand the poverty and hardship of other people. He was so generous that he shared his belongings such as shoes and clothes with other kinds.

2. He Played for South Africa Under 19 Cricket World Cup

Rabada Kagiso 2nd November 2014. Photo sourced from

Kagiso Rabada was selected to represent South African under 19 in 2014. He was 19 years old during the competition which was called the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup.

This competition was a one-day event in which sixteen internationals competed in U-19 which was held in the United Arab Emirates. 

Kagiso Rabada was behind South Africa’s massive win by emerging as the best bowler. This made him emerge second in the tournament with the most wickets (14).

He claimed the most figures in the tournament. He was named the fastest and the most feared bowler in that tournament.

3. He was First South Africa Bowler to Take a Hat-trick in the T20 World cup

Rabada bowling in November 2014. Photo by Naparazzi.

Kagiso Rabada became the first-ever South Africa bowler to take a hat-trick during the T20 World Cup 2021 in the shortest format. This happened in a match between South Africa and England.

Although the Proteas left the competition empty-handed, they had a win in the final league fixture against England due to the hat-trick. 

4. Kagiso Played for the Lions

After an excellent performance in the under-19, Kagiso was promoted to play for the Lions. The Lions is a team that represents the former Transvaal and also acts as a feeder for the South African National Cricket team.

He played the last two matches in the Sunfoil series completion and managed to take 7 wickets out of 186 in both matches.

In 2015 he managed to take a record of 14 wickets when they played against the Dolphins. This record was the best in South Africa Cricket during the franchise era.

5. He Competed in the County Cricket Championship

Rabada bowling to Smith. Photo sourced from

County cricket is a match played between different counties. The county championship is played by eighteen first-class county clubs.

In 2016 February Kagiso Rabada signed a deal that was short-term to play in county cricket for Kent County Cricket Club. He signed the contract from June to July of the English season.

He gave up the opportunity to play in the Indian Premier League to obtain experience in the English condition. He however competed in two county championships.

6. He Competed in the Indian Premier League

Kagiso Rabada was kept by Delhi Capitals to compete in the Indian Premier League in 2019. In the competition, he played 12 matches and then left for national duties.

He had picked up 25 wickets being the best taker in Delhi Capitals and also ranked second best wicket-taker of the season.

Delhi Capitals qualified for the first time since 2012 with his help. In 2020 Kagiso Rabada emerged as the best wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League.

7. Kagiso Rabada Participated in One Day International

Kagiso Rabada participated in the One Day International for South Africa against Bangladesh. July 2015, was his first time participating in such an event where he achieved the best figure.

He competed for his third time in a One Day International match for South Africa against England in 2017. His good performance led him to be ranked the world’s best bowler displacing Imran Tahir.

8. He Managed to Take a Ten-wicket Haul

Kagiso Rabada whilst with Kent at the Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells in July 2016.

Kagiso Rabada took his first ten-wicket haul in 2016 during a match where England visited South Africa. The spectacular performance from Kagiso gave him the best results in the team after Makhaya Ntini’s.

This took place in Centurion where Kagiso took 13 wickets in the match. This made Kagiso the youngest South Africa to take the ten-wicket haul in a test.

9. He Took a Hat-trick in One Day International on his First Time Opportunity

 He was the second person to ever take a hat-trick on his first time opportunity in this match. The first was Taijul Islam.

Kagiso Rabada was the third person to take a hat-trick in South Africa. This was after Charl Langeveldt in 2005 in the match against West Indies and JP Duminy in the match against Sri Lanka.

Kagiso’s hat-trick was recorded 39^th of all the best hat ticks.

10. Kagiso Rabada was Banned from Final Test Against England

Kagiso was banned from the final test which was against England. This resulted from his celebration after Joe Root was dismissed on the first day of the third test.

The ICC concluded that Kagiso was guilty of using language, gestures, and actions which could have ignited the reactions of a battle during an international match.

Kagiso Rabada has proved to be exceptional in his games. His game tactics, strength, and speed have placed him in a higher league compared to other cricketers.

He is the youngest best bowler having won so many awards and leading his team and country to victory. His talent is unmatched and his passion for the game is great.

He is a national hope and an inspiration to the young generation who actively participate in sports. He also records that he has a social responsibility to fight for the right course. He is a staunch supporter of the Black Lives Matter Movement.