Kagiso Rabada became the second-fastest South African to 350 Test wickets, reaching the mark in his 75th Test against Australia at Newlands on October 31, 2026. Only Dale Steyn, who needed 69 Tests, got there quicker. This analysis places the milestone in historical and statistical context.
The Milestone in Numbers
Rabada took one wicket in the first innings of the third Test. He then claimed three in the first four overs of the second innings to reach 350. He is only the second South African to reach the mark.
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Test wickets | 350 |
| Tests played | 75 |
| Wickets per Test | 4.67 |
| Age at milestone | 31 |
| Second-innings burst | 3 wickets in 4 overs |
Rate of Wicket-Taking
Rabada has averaged roughly 4.67 wickets per Test across his career. That is a consistent output over a long sample of 75 matches. It reflects durability as well as skill.
How Rabada Compares With the Fastest to 350
Rabada sits fourth among the bowlers named in this comparison, behind Muttiah Muralitharan, Ravichandran Ashwin and Dale Steyn. Muralitharan was the quickest in Test history at 66 Tests. Ashwin matched that figure in 2019.
| Bowler | Tests to 350 | Wickets per Test | Gap to Rabada |
|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 66 | 5.30 | 9 Tests fewer |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 66 | 5.30 | 9 Tests fewer |
| Dale Steyn | 69 | 5.07 | 6 Tests fewer |
| Kagiso Rabada | 75 | 4.67 | - |
Context for the Gap
Rabada needed six more Tests than Steyn to reach 350. That is a measurable difference, but it is small across a career of this length. Both are among the select group of fast bowlers to reach the mark.
Rabada's Record Against Australia
Heading into this series, Rabada had 64 wickets in 12 Tests against Australia at an average of 21.1. That equates to about 5.33 wickets per Test against one of the strongest opponents. Steyn holds the South African record against Australia with 70 wickets.
| Bowler | Wickets vs Australia | Tests | Average |
|---|
| Dale Steyn | 70 | Not specified | Not specified |
| Kagiso Rabada (pre-series) | 64 | 12 | 21.1 |
The Race to Overtake Steyn
Reports indicate that six or more wickets in the second innings of this Test would take Rabada past Steyn's tally. He would then stand alone as South Africa's leading Test wicket-taker against Australia. The exact margin depends on how many wickets he has already taken in this series, as the 64-wicket figure predates it.
Chasing Steyn's Test and Donald's All-Format Records
Steyn's 439 Test wickets remain the South African benchmark. Rabada needs 89 more to equal that figure. At his current rate of 4.67 wickets per Test, that equates to roughly 19 further Tests.
| Record | Holder | Wickets | Rabada's Position |
|---|
| Most Test wickets for South Africa | Dale Steyn | 439 | 350 (89 behind) |
| Most wickets in all formats for South Africa | Allan Donald | 602 | Different formats and eras |
Age and Workload
At 31, Rabada has time to mount a serious challenge to Steyn's Test mark. Fitness and workload management will be the deciding factors. The all-format record held by Allan Donald at 602 is a longer-term comparison, as it spans different formats and eras.
Analytical Takeaway
The data show a bowler with sustained output rather than a short peak. His 4.67 wickets per Test and 21.1 average against Australia support that view. The next benchmarks are Steyn's 70 wickets against Australia and 439 in Tests overall.