Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been included in South Africa’s squad for next month’s World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in London, England.
Rabada recently completed a one-month suspension after using a prohibited substance earlier this year
“We know the Australians are probably going to use it against him. But he’s gone through that journey,” said Cricket South Africa director of national teams and high performance Enoch Nkwe.
“As much as he’s a superstar, he can also make a mistake. But for us now, it’s the educational side of things and putting that into practice.
“It’s one of the things that he wants to drive – educating the youth and turning this thing around and making it into a positive message. For a 19-year-old or a 16-year-old, to hear it from someone that has done great things for South Africa, I think it becomes even more impactful.”
The Proteas have also included fast bowler Lungi Ngidi in the WTC final squad. Ngidi has not played Test cricket since August 2024. Captain Temba Bavuma and batsman David Bedingham have been selected after overcoming respective elbow and toe injuries.
“I’m particularly pleased to welcome Lungi back in the side. He’s put in the work and offers us an experienced option with the ball,” said Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad.
South Africa will play a warm-up fixture against Zimbabwe in Arundel before the WTC final.
South Africa squad for WTC final
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- David Bedingham
- Corbin Bosch
- Tony de Zorzi
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Aiden Markram
- Wiaan Mulder
- Senuran Muthusamy
- Lungi Ngidi
- Dane Paterson
- Kagiso Rabada
- Ryan Rickelton
- Tristan Stubbs
- Kyle Verreynne
Australia, meanwhile, have named a 15-man squad for the WTC final. All-rounder Cameron Green, who has not played Test cricket since March 2024, has been included. Specialist spinners Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann are also in the squad.
Australia are the reigning WTC title holders. New Zealand won the inaugural WTC title in 2021.
MORE latest WTC final news
- Temba Bavuma: People pointing fingers at Kagiso Rabada have skeletons in their own closet
- Ryan Rickelton will open batting with Aiden Markram in WTC final
- Shukri Conrad: To Tim Paine – let he without sin cast the first stone
- 5 players not selected for Proteas’ WTC final squad
- SACA CEO: Kagiso Rabada criticism from Australia naive and lacks understanding
- Kagiso Rabada ‘was smart to go down that route’
- Australia name squad for World Test Championship final
- Gap between end of IPL and start of WTC final narrows to 7 days