South Africa’s premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has etched his name in cricket history by becoming only the second player ever to appear on both the home and away Lord’s honours board. This rare achievement came during the World Test Championship Final 2025, where Rabada delivered a stellar five-wicket haul against Australia on Day 1.
The Lord’s honours board is one of the most prestigious recognitions in world cricket. Players who score a century or take a five-wicket haul in a Test match at the iconic venue get their name engraved in gold in either the home or away dressing room. Until now, only one cricketer had achieved the remarkable feat of being listed on both boards.
Gordon Greenidge and Rabada: The Only Two
Before Kagiso Rabada, West Indies legend Gordon Greenidge was the sole member of this unique club. Greenidge’s centuries of 214 not out and 103 in the 1980s secured his spot on the away honours board. He was later added to the home board for a century he scored while playing for Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1987 against the Rest of the World.
Now, Kagiso Rabada joins him after his superb bowling performance of 5-51 against Australia, representing South Africa from the home dressing room at Lord’s.
Honours Board Club of Two – Test Cricket’s Rare Company
| Player | Team(s) Represented | Home Honours Board Entry | Away Honours Board Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Greenidge | West Indies, MCC | 122 vs Rest of the World (1987) | 214* (1984), 103 (1988) vs England |
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 5-51 vs Australia (2025) | 5-52 vs England (2022) |
This unique cricket trivia moment adds another layer to Rabada’s legacy, who had already inscribed his name on the away board for a five-wicket haul against England in 2022.
Rabada’s Performance Fueled by Stuart Broad’s Tips
Interestingly, South Africa turned to a familiar face in English cricket before the WTC Final—retired England pacer Stuart Broad. A Lord’s legend himself with entries on the board for both batting and bowling, Broad was brought in to share insights with the Proteas pacers.
According to Rabada, Broad helped with key pointers on field placements, bowling lengths, and how to adapt to the Lord’s slope and conditions under cloud cover.
The results were clear. CricViz data revealed that 84% of Kagiso Rabada’s deliveries were on a good length, the highest percentage in any innings of his career. One of his standout wickets was that of Usman Khawaja, squared up from around the wicket in a delivery that had “Broadian” fingerprints all over it.
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Redemption and Record-Breaking Rise
This iconic performance also came at a crucial time for Rabada, who was recently under scrutiny due to a short ban for recreational drug use. However, the 30-year-old fast bowler remained composed, saying, “Every game that I play for South Africa, I try to do my best.”
With this five-wicket haul, Kagiso Rabada also surpassed Allan Donald on South Africa’s all-time Test wicket-takers list. He now sits fourth, with 332 wickets, trailing only Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, and Dale Steyn.
Lord’s Pitch and Rabada’s Skill
Despite 14 wickets falling on Day 1 of the final, analysts noted that the pitch wasn’t overly bowler-friendly. TMS scorer Andy Zaltzman pointed out that movement through the air was below average, and pitch deviation was about normal. This made Rabada’s five-wicket haul all the more special, as it was achieved through sheer quality and discipline.
Rabada said, “The ball was nipping a bit and at times moving off the slope quite a lot. But I still felt batters could get in.”
A Legacy Still Building
Reflecting on his journey, Rabada added, “As a player, growing up and representing South Africa, I have been inspired by those who came before. To be on that list is something special and long may it continue.”
Kagiso Rabada’s name will soon be etched in gold in the home dressing room at Lord’s, cementing his place in the venue’s storied history. From his lethal five-wicket hauls to his rising spot among South Africa’s legends, Rabada continues to make cricket history, one wicket at a time.