Kagiso Rabada Joins Steyn and Pollock in Elite Test Milestone After Early Strikes in Cape Town

South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada made history on Saturday during the third Test against Australia in Cape Town, entering an elite statistical club and claiming his 350th Test wicket.

Match Context and Fourth-Innings Drama

Australia entered the fourth innings needing 288 runs to win the match and the series. However, Kagiso Rabada delivered an immediate impact in the first over by dismissing opener Matt Renshaw and number-three batter Marnus Labuschagne, leaving the visitors in early trouble.

• Venue: Cape Town
• Match Date: Saturday
• Target: 288 runs for Australia in the fourth innings
• Previous South African Innings: South Africa scored 387 in their second innings, featuring centuries from Wiaan Mulder (115 off 221) and Ryan Rickelton (101 off 219).

Rare First-Over Feat

With his double-strike in the opening over, Rabada became only the fourth South African bowler to take two wickets in the first over of a Test innings. All four instances occurred in the fourth innings:

• Allan Donald vs India (Durban, 1996)
• Dale Steyn vs New Zealand (Centurion, 2016)
• Morne Morkel vs Bangladesh (Potchefstroom, 2017)
• Kagiso Rabada vs Australia (Cape Town, 2026)

Reaching 350 Test Wickets

Rabada claimed his 350th Test wicket by dismissing Travis Head with the final ball of the seventh over, reducing Australia to three down. Bowling at 143 kmph, Rabada found the edge, and Marco Jansen took the catch at gully.

• South Africa's Leading Test Wicket-Takers:
• Dale Steyn: 439
• Shaun Pollock: 421
• Makhaya Ntini: 390
• Kagiso Rabada: 350

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