Rabada's superb over claims Voges

In the absence of his country’s greatest bowler, South Africa pace sensation Kagiso Rabada delivered a magic spell of fast bowling on day four in Perth that Dale Steyn would have been proud of.

Charging in with the Fremantle Doctor howling over his left shoulder, Rabada removed Australia captain Steve Smith with a searing delivery that just straightened enough to take the outside edge before reproducing a carbon copy to dismiss Western Australia veteran Adam Voges eight balls later to leave the hosts teetering at 4-146 chasing 539 to win.

That’s not to mention his earlier efforts in which he sent Shaun Marsh back to the pavilion with a terrific delivery that found the edge of the left-hander’s bat to his skipper Faf du Plessis at second slip before returning to have another southpaw, Usman Khawaja, dropped by Hashim Amla standing next to the ‘keeper.

“Great over, excellent over,” Proteas assistant coach Charl Langeveldt after play.

“That’s why we want Test cricket, that’s why we’re promoting Test cricket. That’s why people like to come watch that.

“I think the real cricket supporters would love that over.

“It gave me goosebumps sitting in the dugout.

“If you’re 21, bowling eight-over spells at 145kph-plus it’s always exciting.

“I think he’s gone a long way in international cricket.

“He’s a quick learner, he asks a lot of questions and he’s very knowledgeable about the game.”

Day four wrap: Rabada brilliance has Proteas on top

On a ground that for many years was the mecca of fast bowling and one that’s witnessed its fair share of legendary pace-bowling performances, Rabada’s exhibition on day four can now be added to the pace Hall of Fame at the WACA Ground, if one existed.

It wasn’t just that the 21-year-old was bowling on a relatively benign surface, save for the snaking cracks down the wicket that so far have served more as a distraction than disruption, it’s that he’s stepped up when his team needed it most without spearhead Steyn, who was ruled out of the series on day two with a broken shoulder.

The mesmerising over to Voges earnt praise from former international captains Michael Clarke and Kevin Pietersen, but perhaps the biggest compliment came from one of South Africa’s greatest speedsters, Allan Donald.

— Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) November 6, 2016

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) November 6, 2016

While he may be new to a lot Australian fans who have not seen his rapid rise to international cricket, Rabada has been making waves the size of tsunamis since formative years, none grander than his stunning six-wicket haul against Australia in the semi-final of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in February 2014.

On that day in Dubai nearly three years ago, Rabada grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, dismantling the Australians with 6-25 from 8.2 hostile overs to defend South Africa’s 9-230, progress his side to the final and ultimately win the tournament for the first time.

Rabada's transition into Test cricket

Now Rabada is doing it on the international stage, like he did in January this year when he claimed 13-144 in Proteas’ consolation 280-run over England in Centurion, the second-best match figures in Test cricket by a South African.

While he’s still fresh on the global cricket circuit, Langeveldt is wary tough times could be around the corner, but is confident his star pupil has the right mindset and attitude to overcome any upcoming obstacles.

Quick Single: Proteas on the brink of famous victory

“I said to him your first season in any form of cricket, first-class or international cricket is the easiest,” Langeveldt said. “The second year people work you out.

“He’s one of those type of bowlers who always wants to improve.

“I said you’re going to be tested here (in Australia), they play their cricket hard and he came and said ‘what makes you successful?’.

“That’s the type of questions (he) asks me and he’s executed it.

“At the end of the day I said second year is going to be hard, you’re always going to be tested in the second season and it’s what you make of it.”