Kwena Maphaka becomes the youngest South African Men’s International Cricketer
Kwena Maphaka made his T20i debut for South Africa against the West Indies on 23 August 2024, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad & Tobago.
The St Stithians College fast bowler was included in the squad to tour the West Indies but was suddenly called up to play in the first game after an injury ruled Lungi Ngidi out of the series.
At only 18 years and 137 days old, Maphaka has become the youngest South African to make his international men’s debut.
Despite the Proteas being thoroughly outplayed by the West Indies in what turned out to be a slightly one-sided affair, Maphaka performed admirably with figures of 1/25 in 3.5 overs. His economy rate of 6.52 was the best of the Protea bowlers.
Maphaka’s first international wicket was that of the West Indies captain Rovman Powell, who sliced a drive straight to Patrick Kruger in the covers.
Fellow St Stithian Kagiso Rabada was 19 years and 163 days old when he set the previous T20i record in 2014, while Victor Mpitsang (Grey College) had the overall record of 18 years and 314 days when he made his debut in an ODI in 1999. The record in test cricket is 18 years and 340 days by Paul Adams (Plumstead High School) in 1995.
| FORMAT | PLAYER | AGE | YEAR |
| T20i | Kwena Maphaka | 18y 137d | 2024 |
| ODI | Victor Mpitsang | 18y 314d | 1999 |
| Tests | Paul Adams | 18y 340d | 1995 |
Maphaka was a sensation at the 2024 u/19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, where his 21 wickets at an average of just 9.71 came within 1 of equalling the record of 22 wickets in a single tournament by Bangladesh’s Enamul Haque Jnr. That feat earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
He did however break the record for most five-wicket hauls at the event by picking up 5/38 against the West Indies, 5/34 against Zimbabwe and then 6/21 during South Africa’s against Sri Lanka.
This was Maphaka’s second u/19 World Cup, having played in the 2022 edition in the West Indies when he was only 15 years old. His 7 wickets in that tournament gives him an overall tally of 28, which ties him with Zimbabwe’s Wesly Madhevere for the most wickets in the history of the Under 19 World Cup.
| PLAYER | COUNTRY | YEAR | WICKETS |
| Kwena Maphaka | South Africa | 2022 – 2024 | 28 |
| Wesly Madhevere | Zimbabwe | 2016 – 2020 | 28 |
| Moises Henriques | Australia | 2004 – 2006 | 27 |
| Greg Thompson | Ireland | 2004 – 2008 | 27 |
| Abhishek Sharma | India | 2002 – 2004 | 26 |
Maphaka was a surprise inclusion in the Mumbai Indians’ squad for the 2024 Indian Premier League, at the time still only 17 years old. He played two games and became the youngest South African and third youngest overseas player to play in the IPL. He spent his off-time studying for the mid-year exams.
Also Read: Player Profile – Kwena Maphaka (St Stithians College)
The Johannesburg-born young man is currently in his final year of high school at St Stithians College, also the alma mater of Ryan Rickleton, Wiaan Mulder, Ireland’s Curtis Campher, the aforementioned Rabada and many other cricketers. Earlier this year, when the hockey season ended, he played his last game as captain of the school’s hockey 1st team. An all-round sportsman, he also has provincial colours in tennis.
His brother Tetelo – his elder by six years – is a cricketing all-rounder who plies his trade for the Lions, who recently also signed Kwena onto their roster. Kwena has been drafted into the Paarl Royals squad for the SA20 but missed the 2024 edition to play in the u/19 World Cup. He is expected to make his SA20 debut in January.
The next T20i’s in the series against the West Indies will be on 25 and 27 August, also in Tarouba in the island nation of Trinidad & Tobago.
