'I'm not going to be ‘Mr I Apologise' — Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada felt there was no need to elaborate on the circumstances that saw him test positive for a 'recreational drug', nor to offer any further apology.
Rabada, who served a one-month suspension in April, added on Friday he would be addressing his Proteas teammates in the next few days because he 'owes it to them'. It was the first time Rabada had spoken publicly about the incident.
The 30-year-old fast bowler, who will lead the Proteas' attack in the World Test Championship final against Australia in two weeks time, reaffirmed that the positive drugs test would not define him.
'I don't think there is anything more to speak on that. If I have to elaborate more, move away from it and see how it influenced me, it's led me to some introspection. I took some time away from the game and I think the biggest thing I took away from it was having gratitude for playing the game that we love. I'm just glad to be back playing again.'
The SA Institute for Drug Free Sport said in a statement at the start of May that Rabada had tested positive in January while playing in the SA20. Because the positive test occurred outside competition, Rabada received the minimum sanction.
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'I don't need too many pats on the back here. I'm going to be joining with them again. I've already spoken to them and we can do so in more detail when we get together with each other for an extended amount of time. 'I don't want this to be about me. This is about something greater than it being about me. It's about two teams going to play in a world [championship] event. 'There's going to be good cricket going to be played and I'm just going to keep doing what I've done.' Rabada did, however, say he will address the squad when they assemble on Saturday for the first time in preparation for the WTC final in Arundel. 'I think I owe it to them, 100%,' Rabada said. 'They're my teammates. I definitely owe it to them. We've come so far. To my closest people I owe that to them.' DM
