Australia have good reason to remember what Kagiso Rabada can do at St George’s Park. Eight years ago, the fast bowler took 11 wickets there to turn a home series in South Africa’s favour.

The Proteas had lost the opening Test in Durban and arrived at St George’s Park needing a response. Rabada, then just 22, delivered figures of 5-96 and 6-54 as South Africa won by six wickets to level the four-match series.

His first-innings burst began with the dismissal of Steve Smith, trapped lbw for 25. Rabada claimed all five wickets in a collapse of 5-21, helping dismiss Australia for 243.

AB de Villiers then made an unbeaten 126 to give South Africa the advantage, before Rabada went through Australia again. Having removed Usman Khawaja for 75 late on the third day, he returned on the fourth morning to dismiss Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.

Australia were bowled out for 239, leaving the Proteas a target of 101. South Africa lost four wickets in the chase but completed the win, with Rabada named player of the match. His 11-150 were, at the time, the second-best Test match figures by a South African against Australia.

Yet his involvement in the rest of the series was briefly in doubt. Contact with Smith during his first-innings celebration initially resulted in a two-Test suspension.

Rabada successfully appealed the decision. The charge of deliberate physical contact was dismissed, although he was found guilty of a lesser offence, leaving him available for the remaining Tests.

South Africa went on to win in Cape Town and Johannesburg, completing a 3-1 victory and their first home Test series success against Australia since 1970. Rabada finished as the leading wicket-taker with 23 at an average of 19.26 and collected the player-of-the-series award.

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