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3 Bowlers Who Need To Step Up For SA If Rabada Misses Champions Trophy Due To Injury

Jatin

Kagiso Rabada is the leader of South Africa's bowling attack [Source: @ICC/x.com]Kagiso Rabada is the leader of South Africa's bowling attack [Source: @ICC/x.com]

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South African cricket is going through a rough patch with injuries. First, they lost Anrich Nortje, and just when they thought they had a replacement ready in Gerald Coetzee, fate threw another curveball. Coetzee is out too, thanks to a sudden groin issue.

Now, with Corbin Bosch and Lutho Sipamla in the mix as possible replacements, things are looking shaky. But the real concern is Kagiso Rabada. The speedster is currently playing for MI Cape Town in the SA20 final and with the way things are going for South Africa’s fast bowlers, fans will be crossing their fingers and toes hoping he doesn’t pick up an injury too. Because if Rabada goes down, who leads the Proteas attack in the Champions Trophy? 

If, in a worst-case scenario, Rabada does miss out, South Africa will need three bowlers to step up and take charge. Let’s take a look at three bowlers who should step up in Rabada's absence.

3. Keshav Maharaj

When Keshav Maharaj walks up to bowl, batters know they are in for a battle. He doesn’t offer easy runs, he makes them work hard and if the surface gives him even a little assistance, he becomes a nightmare.

Keshav Maharaj was one of South Africa’s key bowlers in the ODI World Cup 2023, bagging 15 wickets in 10 games at a stunning economy of 4.15. In an era where most bowlers go for plenty, Maharaj manages to keep things tight and controlled.

Now, with the Champions Trophy being held in Pakistan, the conditions are likely to be similar to India which means spinners could have a bigger role than expected. If Rabada is out, Maharaj’s leadership and experience will be crucial in ensuring South Africa doesn’t fall apart. He may not be a tearaway pacer, but he’s a match-winner in his own right, and in crunch moments, he knows how to turn the screws on the opposition.



2. Lungi Ngidi

It’s been a while since we saw Lungi Ngidi in international cricket. A groin injury ruled him out in October 2024 but now, he’s back in the South African squad. And if Rabada is unavailable, it means Ngidi has to step up and be the enforcer.

Ngidi is the hit-the-deck-hard type of bowler which makes him a dangerous prospect in Pakistan’s conditions. He has the ability to extract bounce, get movement off the seam and trouble even the best batters. His experience in big games will be vital, especially since South Africa will face Afghanistan, Australia, and England in the group stage: three teams that demand nothing less than world-class bowling performances.

If South Africa wants to compete at the highest level, they need Ngidi to be at his best. This is his golden chance to prove he’s still got it.

1. Marco Jansen

Marco Jansen is a cheat code. He’s tall, left-handed, bowls with serious pace, and can swing the bat when needed. If South Africa is looking for someone to step into Rabada’s shoes, Jansen is the perfect fit.

His numbers speak for themselves: 41 wickets in 26 ODIs at an average of 32.00. 17 wickets in just 9 matches in the ODI World Cup 2023 Handy batting average of 27.1, with the ability to smash quick runs down the order.

Jansen can do it all. He can open the bowling, bowl in the middle overs, and finish the innings, making him one of the most versatile bowlers South Africa has. And right now, he’s in red-hot form in SA20 2025. If Rabada misses out, Jansen has to take the lead. He has the talent, the form, and the confidence. All he needs to do now is step up and own the moment.