Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has welcomed fast bowler Kagiso Rabada’s early positive impact on the Test series against England.

Rabada took seven wickets in last week’s 107-run victory in the series opener at SuperSport Park in Centurion – and was particularly telling in England’s second innings.

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‘I think this last camp we had before the first Test got him going again,’ said De Kock.

‘It seemed like he was very excited to get going and very motivated. He brought that on to the field.

‘I don’t know what the case was before, but there is definitely a lot more fire in Kagiso’s eyes at the moment.’

While fast bowler Dale Steyn’s Test career ended last year, seamer Vernon Philander will retire from all international cricket at the end of this series. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje, meanwhile, has recovered from the injuries that prevented his participation in last year’s Indian Premier League and the World Cup. Meanwhile, all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius has rejected the offer of a Kolpak contract in English county cricket.

‘We’ve got a nice balance now. We’ve got Nortje, who bowls high in the 140km/h [range] and is not really the most pleasant guy to face, then Vernon with steady pace, Dwaine, who can hold one side and then Kagiso, who is always picking up wickets,’ added De Kock.

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