Paarl Royals speedster Kwena Maphaka is heading into his maiden SA20 season having gained valuable international experience.

South Africa has a rich tradition of unearthing fast bowlers. It’s in its DNA.

But when they emerge from the same school – St Stithians College in Johannesburg – almost 10 years apart then there must be something special in the water.

Everyone, of course, knows Kagiso Rabada, the loose-limbed athlete that has been the spearhead of the Proteas attack for the last decade.

But there’s a new stallion in town. Kwena Maphaka, the tearaway left-arm seamer who is still awaiting his matric results.

“I haven’t thought about them yet. Maybe over the next couple of days. I was just focused on the cricket and giving my all in the cricket,” Maphaka said at Newlands after becoming the Proteas’ youngest ever Test debutant at 18 years old and 270 days.

“I heard a few comments about my results from the side, but I just tried to tune them out and focus on the cricket.”

It has been an almost astronomical rise for Maphaka over the past 12 months. From starring in the home U19 World Cup last year to debuting in the IPL and now being capped for the Proteas across all three international formats, it has been a whirlwind journey for the teenager.

Such achievements, particularly when they come this quickly, can overwhelm even the most grounded of individuals. It is in times like these that any young player needs the guidance of an experienced hand to help navigate these new challenges.

Thankfully, Maphaka can call on his fellow Saints alumni and now Proteas teammate Rabada.

“KG is definitely an idol of mine. I have worked with him for a few years. He is definitely a role model – almost like a big brother to me,” he said.

“Being able to step out at Newlands in front of a really nice crowd, Test cricket, and bowl with him was really enjoyable. It’s definitely a moment I’ll savour for very long.”

Maphaka and Rabada will have to put their relationship on ice for the next month though as they transform into friendly rivals in the upcoming SA20 season.

They will be at opposite ends of the Western Cape with Rabada leading the MI Cape Town attack, while Maphaka is set to be unleashed at the Paarl Royals.

It is a sort of second coming for Maphaka at the Royals after having missed last season due to international commitments with the SA U19s.

But having now had a taste of international cricket during the interim period, Maphaka feels he is much better prepared for his maiden SA20 season.

“Playing international cricket has already helped me. Having conversations with guys in the change room, having conversations with the opposition, trying to pick their brains, how they go about their business and then trying to implement it into my game. It’s only beneficial.

“SA20 is going to be big. I hope the crowds come out. It’s going to be a really enjoyable time. And hopefully I can improve even more by focusing on the small things in terms of mental preparation and how people go about their business, which is hopefully going to push me forward to have a really good SA20.”

– Article courtesy SA2o website

Photo: Alet Pretorius/Sportzpics

Eighteen-year-old Kwena Maphaka’s first Test wicket was the big one of Babar Azam.

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Kwena Maphaka will make his Test debut against Pakistan at Newlands, while opener Tony de Zorzi has been ruled out. (more…)

Proteas ODI debutant Kwena Maphaka picked up the big wicket of Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan at Newlands. (more…)

Northerns Titans seamer Corbin Bosch has earned his maiden Test call-up, while uncapped 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka also features in the squad to face Pakistan.

Bosch has been in fine form in first-class cricket, boasting an overall tally of 72 wickets at an average of 36.75 and an economy rate of 3.24 across 34 matches. He also averages over 40 with the bat, showcasing his all-round ability.

Bosch recently featured in the SA Invitational XI side that defeated the England Lions in Cape Town.

Joining him in the squad is Maphaka, who was part of the squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Lions all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has also been included squad as he completes the final phase of his recovery from a fractured right middle finger, which kept him out of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

If Mulder is selected for the first Test, Warriors batsman Matthew Breetzke will be released from the squad.

Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj sustained an acute groin strain on Tuesday during warm-ups ahead of the first ODI against Pakistan at Boland Park in Paarl. He will undergo a scan on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury.

Test captain Temba Bavuma will lead the side in what marks the final Test series of the summer and the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 cycle, where South Africa currently occupy top spot.

Commenting on the squad, coach Shukri Conrad said: “We head into this series with a clear focus, with a spot in the World Test Championship final being the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We’ve selected a squad which gives us the best chance to achieve that.

“It’s an exciting time for South African cricket and we’re particularly looking forward to this battle against Pakistan. They always pose a strong threat with the talented fast bowlers they produce and I expect it to be no different this time around.

“In terms of our own squad, we have added Corbin to the mix. His all-round ability with both bat and ball adds depth and his pace brings an extra bite to our attack, so we’re excited to see him make that step up to Test cricket.

“Dane Paterson really impressed us against Sri Lanka and we look forward to seeing him again. Overall, the pace attack is a really good one. We are keeping a close eye on Kesh and hope his injury is not too serious.

“A lot of the batters stood up when they were needed against Sri Lanka and this is another opportunity for all of them to showcase what they can do against a good Pakistan bowling attack.”

Proteas Test squad: Temba Bavuma (c, Lions), David Bedingham (WP), Corbin Bosch (Titans), Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Tony de Zorzi (WP), Marco Jansen (Dragons), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Aiden Markram (Titans), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Warriors), Dane Paterson (WP), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors), and Kyle Verreynne (WP).

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images

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SA U19 star Kwena Maphaka is one of two uncapped players in the Proteas squad for the three-match T20I series against the West Indies later this month. (more…)