Rabada: As South Africans, when people come at us, we go back even harder

KAGISO Rabada may now be walking on water as a world Test champion, but the Proteas superstar has admitted there was a period in his illustrious career where he felt vulnerable.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

The 30-year-old fast bowler spoke candidly yesterday about the mental challenges he faced within the first two years of becoming a national cricketer.

“I think it was back in 2016. I had a really good 2015.

“I made my debut for South Africa, but 2016 was going to be my second season. And normally by then, people start to figure you out, and that’s when you start going through a few challenges here and there,” Rabada said at his sponsor Red Bull’s SA headquarters in Cape Town.

“I remember I didn’t have such a good season, it was up and down the whole time.

“As a young player, all I wanted to be was the best, if not one of the best, and to contribute to the South Africa winning games. And it wasn't quite happening my way.

“I think we flew to Australia, and it was my first time going there, and you hear how brutal it is there. It is pretty brutal!