Rabada feels no added pressure ahead of 2027 World Cup on home soil

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada believes there will be no additional pressure on the Proteas when they play on home soil at next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

South Africa will co-host the 14th edition of the 50-over World Cup with Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027, with Rabada eagerly anticipating the global showpiece.

The Proteas head into the tournament with growing confidence after producing consistent performances across formats in recent years. Their progress was underlined by their triumph over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s in 2025.

While South Africa’s improved performances have raised expectations, Rabada insists the team will not feel extra pressure when the World Cup gets underway.

“I think there’s a lot more to it at the moment with us hosting it,” Rabada told the ICC at the official Cricket World Cup 2027 venue and brand announcement event in Johannesburg.

“It’s almost like freedom as well. I don’t feel the pressure of us playing at home and feeling the need to win it.

“It’s almost like we’re at home and we’re going to defend this fortress. And that’s what it means to me. It’s about representing the badge.”

Rabada featured in South Africa’s two most recent 50-over World Cup campaigns in 2019 and 2023. However, when reflecting on the tournament, the fast bowler’s thoughts go back to a famous final played before he was born.

One of the World Cup moments that continues to inspire Rabada is Pakistan great Wasim Akram’s match-winning spell against England in the 1992 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Akram played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s maiden World Cup triumph, taking 3-49 as the Imran Khan-led side defeated England by 22 runs.

Rabada said he would love to produce a similar performance for South Africa when they compete for the title on home soil in 2027.

“One World Cup moment from the past that I’ll never forget, because I’m a bowler, I’m going to go to the bowlers’ club, was Wasim Akram against England in the final,” Rabada said.

“Him just cleaning up the stumps and putting on a show to take it home for his country and showing the passion and the skill.

“He was fast, had so much skill, and just had this presence, this heightened energy about him that he was there to play.”

Rabada also believes South Africa’s confidence is high after their memorable victory over Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship final.

“We’ve shown that we can go and play in finals and in the semi-finals,” Rabada said.

“It’s just about that last step. So the confidence is there. The belief is most definitely there, just about going that one extra step.”