Rabada Becomes Fourth South African to 200 Home Test Wickets, Beats Steyn's Ball Record

Rabada Joins South Africa's Home-Wicket Elite

Kagiso Rabada etched his name into the record books on the fourth day of the second Test against Australia, becoming only the fourth South African bowler to claim 200 Test wickets on home soil. The milestone arrived during Australia's first innings, as Rabada dismissed Nic Maddinson and Mitchell Starc to close with figures of 2/33 in 12 overs.

The achievement places Rabada alongside some of the biggest names in South African cricket history. He joins Dale Steyn (261 home Test wickets), Makhaya Ntini (249) and Shaun Pollock (235) on the exclusive list.

A Record Built on Fewer Balls Than Steyn

In 38 home Tests, Rabada has taken his 200 wickets at a remarkable average of 20.06, with 10 five-wicket hauls and four ten-wicket hauls, and best innings figures of 7/112. Only Steyn reached the landmark in fewer matches, doing so in 37 Tests to Rabada's 38 — but on sheer volume of deliveries, Rabada stands alone. He got to 200 home wickets in just 7,017 balls, the fewest by any bowler, comfortably surpassing Steyn's 7,751.

Taken across his whole career, Rabada now has 342 wickets in 74 Tests at an average of 22.01, with 17 five-wicket hauls, four ten-wicket hauls and a best of 7/112. He is South Africa's fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Australia Skittled for 99 as Follow-On Enforced

The milestone came amid a dominant South African fightback. After the hosts had enforced a first-innings advantage, they bowled Australia out for just 99 and enforced the follow-on. Steven Smith was the only Australian batter to pass 20, making 28 off 88 balls with two fours.

Marco Jansen led the attack with 5/33, while Rabada chipped in with 2/33 and Wiaan Mulder returned 2/13. The collapse left Australia facing a battle to save the Test with one day remaining.

Bavuma's 179 Rescues South Africa

South Africa's own innings had been in trouble earlier in the match, slipping to 110/6 on the third day after rain had allowed little play over the first two days. Captain Temba Bavuma then led a superb recovery with 179 off 334 balls, including 18 fours and a six.

Bavuma first added 132 runs with Jansen, who scored 85 off 100 balls with nine fours and three sixes. He then put on another 183 runs with Simon Harmer, who made 82 off 157 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six. Their efforts lifted South Africa to 425/9 declared — a stunning turnaround after Scott Boland's 5/81 had put the hosts under pressure.

Series on the Line

Australia currently lead the three-match series 1-0. With one day remaining in the Test, South Africa have a clear chance to level the series at 1-1 and keep the contest alive.