Cricket
Exclusive: Shukri Conrad Hails Kwena Maphaka as T20 X-Factor Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad backs 19-year-old Kwena Maphaka for a key role in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India. Maphaka, known for his T20 X-factor, has recovered from injury to make the squad, pushing out Ottneil Baartman. Conrad believes Maphaka's pace and skills make him a valuable asset, not just for experience, but for playing in the tournament. Aiden Markram leads the 15-player South Africa Men’s squad for the World Cup.
Australia v South Africa - T20 Series: Game 2 by Robert Cianflone | Getty Images
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad believes that the 19-year-old Kwena Maphaka can play an important role in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India following the announcement of South Africa’s 15-player squad on Friday.
Maphaka’s X-Factor
Maphaka has recently returned from injury, one that kept him sidelined for weeks. However, on Friday, Conrad and Convenor Selector Patrick Moroney announced that the 19-year-old has been included in the squad for the showpiece event.
Maphaka’s inclusion meant that Ottneil Baartman, who played in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, and in last month’s T20 series in India, would be excluded from the squad.
Conrad believes that Maphaka has the X-factor in T20 cricket.
“With regards to Kwena, Kwena is a bit of an X-factor in T20,” Conrad told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview. “He's got pace and yes, he can go for a bit every now and again. But he does give us the option, depending on the type of wickets we might play on.”
Plans for Maphaka
From the surface, it looked as if Maphaka was included in the squad more for gaining World Cup experience, not so much for playing.
After all, Maphaka is 19 years of age, and is yet to taste the pressures that come with senior Men’s ICC events.
However, in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, Conrad revealed that the youngster will play a part in the World Cup.
“He's definitely not going along just for the ride. We've seen him do some really good things in T20. He was part of our T20 squad in England and Australia, if I'm not mistaken and then obviously suffered the injury. So he was always part of the plans. He picks up wickets,” Conrad said.
“Yes, he might miss his length. Like I said, he's got pace on his side. He bowls some good yorkers. He's got good change-ups. He's got great attitude. And you know, the attitude and the character are big things for us.
“So it was really just a case of when Kwena gets fit, if he'll be in the side. He's fit and ready and started playing in the SA20, which is really the few gallops that he needs. He's done one or two nice things already.
“And yes, he's also gone for a few runs, but so do the best of them. So yes, I wouldn't be too critical of that. I'm just thrilled that one of our young sensations is fit and raring to go.
“So no, he's not just going on a sightseeing trip. He's got experience of playing there in the IPL. And yes, all of the things that I mentioned to you, given the right conditions, he can do a really good job for us.”
South Africa Men’s Squad - ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Jason Smith.
Ongama Gcwabe is an experienced Sports Journalist based in South Africa. In his career, Ongama’s work has been published in the country’s biggest newspapers company, Independe Newspapers, and some of the leading news and sports websites including IOL Sport.