Share

Rabada 'grateful and humbled' by CSA awards

Cape Town - Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada says he is "honoured" to have received so many awards at the annual Cricket South Africa (CSA) awards function in Sandton on Saturday.

Rabada insists that all his Proteas team-mates contributed towards his success.

READ: Rabada, with help, can break new ground

In what proved to be a magical evening for the 23-year-old, he won no fewer than six awards.

These included the South African Cricketer of the Year, SA Players' Player of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year, ODI Cricketer of the Year and SA Fans Player of the Year. He also won the award for the RAM Delivery of the Year when he dismissed David Warner in the third Test match against Australia at Newlands in March this year.

His six-star performance means he now done it both in 2016 and 2018. No other cricketer has ever won more than five awards.

"I am grateful and honoured to have received these awards," the young star said.

"It means I'm doing something right. I'm glad to have done it for the team and for the country."

It has been a remarkable year for Rabada who rose to the No 1 bowling ranking in the world in Test match cricket, cracking the 900-point barrier and is currently the leading wicket-taker in the 2018 calendar year with 38 dismissals at an average of 19.65.

He is also ranked No 7 in ODI cricket and was named in the ICC Test XI for the 2017 calendar year.

"It felt good to do what I did, but at the same time, I really do think that the whole team contributed," Rabada explained. "If you look at the Test matches we played, whenever we were in trouble, there was always someone different who bailed us out.

"There were guys like Aiden (Markram) and AB (de Villiers) and Dean (Elgar), who were consistent, but if you look at the roles that other guys played like a Keshav (Maharaj), like a Temba (Bavuma), like a Quinny (Quinton de Kock) at Newlands.

"Those guys are not getting too much recognition, but when you are in the changing room you see it all. I just feel like everyone contributed."

Rabada's on-field behaviour was a big talking point this past season after several run-ins with opposing batsmen. But he says he has learnt from what happened.

"There's certain things that happened to me, some good and some bad, which I have taken note off and made a conscious effort to improve on them, whether it be on the cricket field or just in my life," said Rabada.

"That's where I am at the moment, just trying to build on from last season and trying to be ruthless by bringing this on in the new season."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2243 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE