Exclusive: Kwena Maphaka Beams With Pride Ahead of First Senior World Cup With Proteas

South Africa left-arm fast bowler, Kwena Maphaka, is beaming with pride and feels honoured and privilege to be involved in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. 

The 19-year-old has expressed aspirations of being. Regular wicket-taker and showing good aggression with ball in hand throughout the tournament.

Wickets & Aggression

Normally, a 19-year-old fast bowler in his first year after matrix, would be toiling in domestic cricket, getting humbled after thinking he is a big shot coming from the Under 19 and High School level.

They would now be playing Club and Colts cricket. At best, they would be playing Division One or Two.

However, there is nothing normal about Maphaka’s journey thus far.

At only 17, Maphaka had been standing at the top of his mark at a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in the Indian Premier League, ready to steam in for the Mumbai Indians, which is arguably the biggest team in T20 cricket.

Following that extraordinary experience, the youngster went on to become the youngest ever South African to play for the Proteas when he travelled to the West Indies with the Proteas in 2024.

Now, at 19 years of age, Maphaka is tasked with helping the Proteas do something that they have never done before, winning the World Cup.

Alongside the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram and Lungi Ngidi, Maphaka has the nation’s hopes resting on his young shoulders as they continue the search for South Africa’s first World Cup trophy.

As a result, the youngster has paid close attention to his past mistakes, having gone for plenty of runs during the recently concluded fourth season of the Betway SA20 and three-match series against the West Indies.

Moroever, Maphaka aims to be a consistent wicket-taker and show good aggression during the tournament.

“Leading up tot he World Cup, we had a couple of games against the West Indies. I’m definitely looking to polish up on a few things, number one being the runs conceded, obviously," Maphaka told SportsBoom.co.za.

“The T20 World Cup is known for bowlers going for a lot of runs, so being able to manage the run rate is massive for me and it’s something that I’ve been working on. I’m looking to take wickets and be nice and aggressive." 

“The best way to stop the flow of runs is to take wickets. So, I think those are the main things that I’ll be focusing on leading into the World Cup.”

Pride & Honour

About two years ago, Maphaka had been dominating batters in the 2024 Icc Under 19 World Cup here in South Africa.

At 17 years of age, he had been already clocking the 150 kph mark with his bowling speeds, a feat that inflicted fear in opposition batters throughout that World Cup.

Now, the 19-year-old aims to bring the same beat to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Having been selected ahead some quality bowlers including Ottneil Baartman, Maphaka understands the work that he needs to do going forward.

The youngster told SportsBoom that he is beaming with pride as he is set to play in his first World Cup with the senior South Africa side.

“It’s my first World Cup with the senior team. Obviously, it’s a massive honour and a massive privilege for me. I’m feeling really excited and a little bit nervous to be honest,” Maphaka added. 

“I think those nerves will go away as the tournament starts. I’m really proud and nervous but mainly excited. I’m really looking forward to the challenge that coming forth.”

South Africa are in Group C along with Canada, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. Given that South Africa finished as runners-up in the previous T20 World Cup, where they narrowly lost the final to India, they are favourites not only to progress past the group stage, but also to make the final and go a step further this time.