Rabada Storms to 350 Test Wickets in Cape Town Landmark

Newlands witnessed history on October 31, 2026, as Kagiso Rabada stormed to 350 Test wickets. The Proteas spearhead produced a ferocious second-innings spell against Australia, striking three times in the opening four overs to become the second-fastest South African to reach the landmark.

Rabada’s Newlands Burst Seals the Milestone

Cape Town set the stage for a defining moment in the third Test. Rabada had picked up one wicket in the first innings, setting up the chase for 350.

Then came the second-innings blitz. Three wickets inside the first four overs took him past the mark and sent the Newlands crowd into celebration.

A Landmark in His 75th Test

The 31-year-old right-arm pacer reached the milestone in his 75th Test appearance. That makes him only the second South African to reach 350 Test wickets, a mark that places him among his country’s all-time greats in the Australia rivalry.

How Rabada’s Pace to 350 Compares

Dale Steyn remains the fastest South African to 350 Test wickets, getting there in his 69th Test. Rabada needed six more matches, which still puts him second on the national list.

Globally, the quickest was Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, who got there in 66 Tests. Ravichandran Ashwin equalled that tally in 2019, also reaching 350 in his 66th Test.

Next Target: Steyn’s Record Against Australia

Rabada’s numbers against the Aussies were already formidable heading into this series. He had 64 wickets in 12 Tests at an average of 21.1.

Steyn still holds the record for the most Test wickets by a South African against Australia, with 70. The gap is small, and the chase is on.

Six Wickets Would Change the Record Books

If Rabada takes six or more wickets in the second innings of this third Test, he will pass Steyn’s tally. He would then stand alone as South Africa’s leading Test wicket-taker against Australia. That would be a notable shift in the head-to-head record between the two sides.

The Bigger Picture for South African Bowling

Steyn’s 439 Test wickets remain the South African benchmark in the format. Rabada still has ground to cover, but he is 31 and in strong form, so the pursuit is far from over.

Eyes on Allan Donald’s All-Format Mark

Allan Donald holds the record for the most wickets by a South African across all formats combined, with 602. The comparison spans different formats and eras, but it shows the scale of what Rabada is building.

At 350 Test wickets from 75 matches, he has both the time and the games to mount a serious challenge on Steyn’s Test record.

What Comes Next at Newlands

The milestone is done, but the Test is not. Rabada now has a clear shot at a record that has stood for years in South Africa’s rivalry with Australia.

The question is whether he can finish the job in this match. Whatever happens, Newlands has already seen a landmark that will be remembered.