Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Pholetsi Moseki has reaffirmed the federation’s support for star Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada following his recent positive drug test, emphasizing that the player will not be “thrown to the wolves” over the incident.
Moseki’s comments came during a send-off event for the Proteas ahead of their World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, starting on June 11 in London. The CEO stressed that while Rabada’s situation was a “misstep,” the 29-year-old remains a vital part of the team and deserves the nation’s backing.
Unwavering Support for Rabada
Rabada, a key figure in South Africa’s bowling attack, recently addressed the public regarding the doping violation, which CSA has classified as an inadvertent breach. Moseki highlighted the importance of standing by the player, noting his contributions to South African cricket.
“He’s our player, a very important player, but more than anything else, he’s a very young man who’s done a lot for the country,” Moseki said. “Just because of that misstep, it was very important that you can’t throw a player to the wolves purely because of that.”
The CEO added that CSA would continue supporting Rabada and all national players, ensuring they are shielded from undue pressure as they represent the country.
Proteas Gear Up for Historic WTC Final
The Proteas are set to face defending champions Australia in their first-ever WTC final, a milestone for South African cricket. Moseki expressed confidence in the squad, which includes seasoned campaigners like Rabada and captain Temba Bavuma.
“We are extremely proud of the boys. They’ve had a very difficult journey to get here,” Moseki said. “This is an opportunity for them to go one step further after reaching their first final last year.”
The team will play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe in Arendelle from June 3-6 before heading to London for the marquee clash at Lord’s.
Building Momentum for 2027 World Cup
With South Africa co-hosting the 2027 Cricket World Cup, Moseki emphasized that success in the WTC would be crucial for building momentum. “Success begets success,” he said, adding that strong performances now would bolster the team’s confidence ahead of future tournaments.
As the Proteas prepare for their showdown with Australia, CSA and fans nationwide have rallied behind the team, reinforcing the country’s tradition of uniting behind its sporting representatives.
“We’re representing 60 million South Africans,” Moseki said. “And those 60 million are with the team in spirit.”
The WTC final begins on June 11, with South Africa aiming to make history by lifting their first Test championship trophy.
