CSA congratulates Rabada on award

Rabada won the award for Newcomer of the Year while Montshiwa Primary School was honoured in the Developing School Team of the Year category.

Rabada, made his debut for the Proteas in a T20 International at age 19 last year. His ODI debut followed earlier this year against Bangladesh at Mirpur when his figures of 6/16 were the world’s best ever by a debutant and the best ever for the Proteas, beating Makhaya Ntini’s 6/22 against Australia in 2006. He was also only the second player to take a hattrick on debut and the third Protea to take a hattrick after Charl Langeveldt and JP Duminy.

He has since made his Test debut and has thus represented the Proteas in all three formats by the age of 20.

“Congratulations to both these most deserving winners,” said CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. “It is really heartening to see our significant investment in development producing winners. In particular, Kagiso Rabada is a standout talent and destined for greatness.

“The success of our programmes is also reflected in the fact that we had several other finalist nominees including our World No. 1 Proteas Test team, the world’s best batsman, AB de Villiers, for the SA Sports Star of the Year, Shabnim Ismail in the SA Women’s Sports Star of the Year award, and Geoffrey Toyana as SA Coach of the Year.

“While Kagiso deservedly won his award, the other nominees make us equally proud and deserve our congratulations for being recognised among the best in their respective categories.”

Rushdi Magiet was one of four recipients of the inaugural Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achiever award.

“I know Rushdi Magiet personally and he has indeed given a lifetime of service not only to cricket but also to social responsibility. We are delighted that he has received this well merited award,” said Lorgat. - ANA

(File photo: Gallo Images)