Rabada returns to St George’s Park with no hard feelings over Smith clash

Fast bowler says 2018 shoulder-bump was “the heat of the moment”

Kagiso Rabada says he holds no grudge against Australia or Steve Smith as he prepares to return to the ground where their much-discussed 2018 clash took place. The South African has been cleared to play in the second Test at St George’s Park after recovering from a hamstring tear, his first appearance since May.

Rabada was initially banned for two Tests after bumping Smith while celebrating his wicket at St George’s Park in 2018. The suspension was later reduced to a fine, a decision that left Smith and Australia unhappy, particularly because Smith was unable to speak at the disciplinary hearing. The incident was among the final flashpoints of a fractious series before the ball-tampering scandal came to dominate the headlines.

Asked about the episode ahead of his return, Rabada described it as a product of competitive intensity rather than personal hostility. “That is just the emotion of the game. It’s about playing within the rules,” he said. “There’s no hate off the field or anything like that. It’s a bunch of top-performing athletes who’ve got testosterone to burn. It’s the heat of the moment.”

He added that players must also respect the International Cricket Council’s conduct rules and the expectations of viewers, while arguing that sport needs characters. Rabada has faced Australia 23 times across formats since the 2018 incident without further controversy.

South Africa need a response

His return comes as South Africa try to keep the series alive after losing the first Test in Durban by 214 runs. Captain Temba Bavuma said Rabada’s performances and presence lift the bowling attack. “He leads the attack in everything that he does,” Bavuma said, adding that Rabada brings “an extra level of confidence to the unit.”

Rabada took 11 wickets in the 2018 St George’s Park Test and was named player of the series. Across this century, his 58 Test wickets against Australia at an average of 21.39 are bettered among fast bowlers only by Jasprit Bumrah, according to the report.

South Africa will confirm their final team on Sunday, with rain forecast for the opening day and both sides preparing for a potentially shortened match. The hosts have confirmed that Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne will be left out; Marques Ackerman and Matthew Breetzke are expected to come into the side.