The youngest cricketer to get the call-up to the U19 South African World Cup side aged at just 16, Kwena Maphaka shows the promise needed to be part of the next generation of Proteas to the top of the ICC Cricket Standings. 

Born to a sports-loving family and raised in Johannesburg, Kwena first got into cricket at around two years old - his older brother (then eight) needed a partner for their backyard games. 

The left-arm pace bowler counts Rafael Nadal, Michael Phelps and KGR’s own Kagiso Rabada as his sporting heroes. He and Rabada draw more parallels: both have attended St. Stithians School and play for the Highveld Lions. There’s no doubt that with KG’s wealth of knowledge and experience at such a young age, Kwena will benefit from his mentorship.

Kwena has a ‘wise beyond his years’ approach to the mental side of the game: “Stay calm on the outside even though you may not feel that way on the inside.” 

In 2024, Kwena certainly put his own advice into practice - taking a total of 21 wickets at the U19 World Cup to be awarded ‘Player of the Tournament’ and making his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians. 

With a stellar performance at the U19 World Cup and a promising IPL debut, Kwena Maphaka has proven himself as a standout talent in cricket. His early success and mature approach to the game highlight a bright future ahead.

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