Elgar praises talismanic Rabada despite tough MCG outing: 'He's 100 percent or nothing cricketer'

Proteas captain Dean Elgar had nothing but good words for his lead fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who finished the year as the joint lead wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Rabada had an indifferent outing during South Africa's innings and 182-run loss against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but Elgar said Rabada always pushes himself to the edge.

Rabada may have taken 47 wickets this year at an average of 22.25 and strike rate of 34.1, but during the Boxing Day Test, his 28 overs cost him as he ended on 1 for 144.

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Elgar admitted that the heat of the second day, which saw David Warner record a Test double 100, took a lot out of Rabada and their pace attack.

"KG is a 100 percent or nothing cricketer with the ball in hand," Elgar said.

"He pushes his body to the ultimate extremes that a fast bowler can and maybe, he's had a long summer, but that's something we need to discuss.

"Knowing him and the character that he is, he wants to push himself until he breaks, and hopefully, that doesn't happen.

"He's had a tough summer and has been carrying the brunt of our bowling, so that may play into a few niggles here and there.

"He's a three-format cricketer, so when there are niggles, we can understand, but he lives for and loves Test cricket. He was tired and most of us were tired after fielding on day two."

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The Proteas have to avoid the first whitewash in Australia since the infamous 2001/02 tour by winning the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground next week.

However, that'll require them to win at the Moore Park-based oval for the first time since 1994,