FILE: Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada shows off his football skills.
Image: BackpagePix
Proteas Men's spearhead Kagiso Rabada is backing Bafana Bafana all the way in their Fifa World Cup opener against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
Rabada was hoping to travel to Mexico City for the opening game but will now instead attempt to get to the second match against Czechia in Atlanta, USA.
Either way, he is fully behind Ronwen Williams and his team as Bafana look to add their name to the famed list of underdogs who have upset their more fancied opponents in the opening game.
“I was actually going to go and watch the opening game in Mexico, but that is not to be anymore. That would have been crazy,” Rabada told Independent Media during an exclusive Red Bull media junket.
“But maybe we'll see. You know, I've got a 10-year American visa, so maybe I’ll catch a few games. So, yeah, I might go over there. The opportunity is there. It's something that I would really like to do.”
Rabada feels the excitement building up to Thursday's opening game is reminiscent of the football fever that gripped South Africa during the hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Having experienced playing in various Cricket World Cups on the global stage, he knows exactly what the Bafana players are going through and fully supports them all the way to get the job done.
“The guys are... I can imagine how excited they must be. The biggest sporting stage in the world,” said Rabada, who recently finished as the top wicket-taker in the IPL.
“Like, so, so, so cool. Man, it's... Everyone knows about the football World Cup. I can only imagine being a part of it. I'm just excited for them. Backing them all the way.
“You know, they get to play in a tournament against the best players in the world. You know, the highest viewership. It's just extremely special.
“The amount of people that know about it is kind of reminding me of the 2010 World Cup back at home. Really excited for everyone. And I can't imagine what it must feel like. But we'll be watching every single game that they participate in.
“And I'm just really, really excited for them. And I back them. Because I do know how it feels to play on a big stage. But this is the biggest stage.
“I know that they're not... I can guarantee you that they're not, you know, fearful of anything. I'm just excited for them and I'm backing them.”