'We know how to beat them': Kagiso Rabada fires Australia huge warning ahead of WTC Final

The finalists for the World Test Championship 2025 have been decided with South Africa set to take on Australia at Lord's from June 11. Ahead of the big final, the war of words has begun with South Africa's Kagiso Rabada firing a warning on his Aussie counterparts.

Kagiso Rabada is confident that South Africa will create history at Lord's and is excited to play the big match. While this will be Australia's second successive WTC Final, South Africa will play the final for the first time ever.

It marks a big occasion for South African cricket which has seen quite a few ups and downs over the last few years since the retirement of their great players. But it seems like the golden days of South Africa are back now.

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Kagiso Rabada fires warning for Australia

During a conversation on SuperSport, Kagiso Rabada spoke about the prospects of playing the WTC Final against Australia. While he expects it to be an intense match, Rabada expressed his confidence in beating Australia.

"It's actually quite some distance away, but a big occasion like the World Test Championship final gets you up for it. South Africa versus Australia has always been an intense rivalry, because we play cricket quite similar. We play hard - and they're going to come hard at us, and we know that," Kagiso Rabada said.

The South African fast bowler hailed the Test format and called it the best format of his team. He was also happy with the way Test cricket was promoted in the recent series against Pakistan.

"But we also know how to beat them. One hundred percent, Test cricket is still alive. It's our best format that we've been playing right now," Kagiso Rabada said.

"When you look at South African cricket and all our legends, they've all been great Test cricketers. The world's best players are Test cricketers, and this series against Pakistan has been a wonderful advertisement for Test cricket, especially in South Africa," he noted.

Shukri Conrad on WTC Final

Meanwhile, South Africa's head coach Shukri Conrad hopes to have a Test match scheduled in England which could help his team prepare for the WTC Final.

"We're going to try and get a Test match, possibly in the UK, against an Ireland or Afghanistan, whoever is free. And if unsuccessful, we'll obviously go out a couple of days earlier, and make sure we camp there really well, probably in Canterbury," said Conrad.

Australia have two Tests left to be played against Sri Lanka but South Africa are not scheduled to play any Test match before the WTC Final. However, none of the teams will play any Test in English conditions.

Australia favorites ahead of the big final

It is likely to be a hard-fought contest between the two best teams of this World Test Championship cycle. The strength of both the teams is fast bowling and both have sone excellent fast bowling options in their ranks.

Australia will start as favorites given they are already the defending champions and their overall record in knockout matches. But South Africa will be eyeing history by winning an ICC title after more than two decades.