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
