Australia captain Steve Smith says Kagiso Rabada is a world-class bowler and he wants him to play in the upcoming Tests in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Rabada moved back to the top of the ICC rankings for Test bowlers thanks to his 11-150 at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, but will not be able to increase his lead at the top after he was banned from the remainder of the series following on-field disciplinary issues.

READ MORE: Rabada back at No 1

Speaking to the media after his side lost by six wickets on Monday, Smith said they would rather have Rabada in the South Africa line-up for the upcoming Tests.

‘He’s a world-class bowler and you always want to come up against the best, that’s for sure,’ Smith said. ‘He’s right up there. He’s unbelievable, the way he’s been bowling.

‘If he’s there, he’s there … if he’s not, he’s not. It’s our job to try and play some better cricket.’

On Rabada’s on-field celebration when he dismissed the Australia captain in the Port Elizabeth Test, Smith said: ‘I think it’s something that the ICC has been trying to crack down on for some time in just trying to ensure that things look sportsmanlike out on the field.

‘It’s probably the time they don’t need to celebrate as much. They’ve just got your wicket and you’re on your way, so it’s a time to just chill out and be happy that it’s done.

‘Sometimes guys are going to go over the top and get done for it, but it’s just about trying to stay within the boundaries.’