Ian Chappell labelled an 'idiot' for village comment

South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis, right, kisses Kagiso Rabada on the top of the head after he took the wicket of Australia's Mitchell Starc. Photo / AP

Former Australian Test captain Ian Chappell has come under fire for a comment that has offended South African viewers watching the first Test at the WACA.

Chappell was commenting on play for Channel 9 when South African rising star Kagiso Rabada skittled the Australian middle order and snared a five-wicket haul.

Chappell was full of praise for the talented 21-year-old and joined fellow commentator Ian Healy in labelling the quick a future superstar of the game.

He said he was stunned by Rabada's raw talent and pace at such a young age.

Unfortunately, Chappell didn't leave it at that.

When Healy asked him how Rabada could have developed such speed in his bowling, Chappell replied: "You'd have to ask all the batsmen in his village".

Rabada grew up in Johannesburg where he attended the prestigious St Stithians Boys College. His father is a neurosurgeon.

The comment did not go unnoticed on social media.

So Jo'burg doesn't qualify as a village? Staggering, isn't it? Surprised they didn't ask who was looking after his herd while he's here... https://t.co/eKPUTLdYot

— Neil Manthorp (@NeilManthorp) November 7, 2016

Chuffed Kagiso Rabada and I come from the same village... It's a pretty big one, called Johannesburg. #SAvsAUS

— Carly Adno (@CarlyAdno226) November 7, 2016

Chappell has done it now. Go ask the 'people in his village' he says about when Rabada knew he could bowl fast.

— Jason Humphries (@JasonH1973) November 7, 2016

@shockerhess Wow. Rabada's dad is a neurosurgeon!

— Walter (@WaltS1010) November 7, 2016

Hey @Channel9, happy to stand corrected, but Kagiso Rabada's home town seems to be a pretty fkcn big village. #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/xo35d4Law4

— Mindy Pawsey (@MKPS001) November 7, 2016

According to Ian Chappell, Nathan Lyon credits his pace between wickets to years of evading spear and boomerang attacks. #AUSvSA

— Mindy Pawsey (@MKPS001) November 7, 2016