WTC Final: I'll never forget this day in my life - Rabada

South Africa’s dramatic and emotional five-wicket victory against Australia to win the World Test Championship final at Lord’s will be remembered, as most sports contests are, for what happened at the end.

Aiden Markram delivered one of the better innings in SA test history to earn the player-of-the-match award with Proteas equalling the second highest run-chase (282) at Lord’s.

Kagiso Rabada, however, had every bit as much to do with South Africa’s triumph with an equally remarkable match-haul of 9-110 to give his country a chance and allow Markram to play as he did.

The difference between them, perhaps, is that Rabada is the only universally acknowledged ‘superstar’ in the SA team.

It was widely accepted that a huge contribution from him would be essential if the underdogs were to win.

“To be honest, I don't see myself as a star. I see myself as someone who's willing to give my blood for this team and continue working hard and improving. That's me as a cricketer, always wanting to improve and playing for the badge with a lot of pride,” Rabada said in the moments after victory had been secured.

“Every game that I play, I'm looking to get wickets. I'm not going to go into the game thinking, man, I need to get seven wickets for us to win.

“I look at it as, okay, this is an opportunity for me to get as many wickets as I can and make an impact for the team. But I know that I'm not going to do it alone. And I back all the players that are in the team. You’re playing for South Africa for a reason, it's not by chance,” Rabada said before reflecting on the enormity of the team’s achievement.

“It’s hard to sum up, it’ll take a while to sink in. It was so lovely to have our families here, and just walking around and seeing all the supporters. I'm not going to call them fans. They were really behind us and we felt all of their energy, they were just fantastic. This was truly special. I can't really describe it.”

But did he really believe the team could win after they were bowled out for just 138 to concede a first innings deficit of 74 runs?

“Well, when you're in the final, you have to think that way. There are normally two voices in your head, the one that doubts and the one that believes. That's the one that we keep feeding, especially in big moments like this, the World Test Championship final. And that's why you saw the performances you saw, it’s a testament to our team this season,” Rabada said.

“We've been working hard. I've been working extremely hard. Those second innings spells, those are the ones that count more. You’re a bit tired, you’re behind the game…but it was just about staying calm and looking at what's in front of us. And then all mayhem broke loose when we got five wickets in just a few overs, that was just crazy. It's just a funny game, cricket.

“I'll never forget this in my life. None of the boys will forget this in their lives. Playing against Australia, they're well accustomed to winning, but they are a bit of an ageing team - with all due respect. Some of those guys were playing when we were still in high school. It’s just so special.”