He was the leading wicket-taker in South Africa’s last T20I series Down Under.
South Africa has suffered a major injury scare ahead of the white-ball series against Pakistan and in the build-up to the T20 World Cup 2026. Rising star Kwena Maphaka is being assessed for an injury he sustained during a domestic first-class match.
The Proteas are scheduled to visit Namibia for a one-off T20I match on October 11, to inaugurate the stadium in Windhoek. Namibia and Zimbabwe recently qualified to play the mega ICC event in early 2026.
A day later, the Test side will begin the title defence in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle against Pakistan. The Pakistan tour includes two Tests, three T20Is, and as many ODIs.
Kwena Maphaka was playing in the four-day match for the Lions last week, when he experienced hamstring discomfort after bowling 5.5 overs in the first innings. The left-arm pacer was taken for a scan, which revealed no major damage. He returned to the field and took the new ball in the second innings. The pacer made a crucial contribution, claiming three wickets in his 10-over spell, leading the Lions to a dominant win against Western Province. However, he will reportedly have a precautionary MRI to confirm his fitness ahead of the busy upcoming season.
The 19-year-old pacer has been named in the one-off T20I and the white-ball squads for the Pakistan tour. Notably, Maphaka emerged as the leading wicket-taker during South Africa’s last T20I series against Australia Down Under. He took nine wickets in three innings, including a four-wicket haul, with a high average and economy rate of 12.55 and 10.27.
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The 19-year-old Kwena Maphaka, who came to the limelight during the Under-19 World Cup last year, is the future of South African cricket. There have been discussions about giving him more time in the domestic circuit, particularly the four-day competition, to expose him to different situations of the game.
The southpaw has featured for South Africa, having already played sixteen white-ball matches and two Tests. He is now expected to be a key part of South Africa’s away season over the next few months, which includes tours of Pakistan and India and the highly anticipated T20 World Cup next year.
Notably, he made his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians last year, even before representing his national side. He played the latest season with the Rajasthan Royals. After representing the last SA20 season with sister franchise, Paarl Royals, Maphaka was signed by Durban’s Super Giants for the fourth season scheduled to start later this year.
South Africa’s WTC defence will start with a two-match Test series in Pakistan, slated to begin on October 12 and 20. The T20I series will follow on October 28, 31, and November 1, while the ODI games will take place on November 4, 6, and 8.
For the Namibia T20I: Donovan Ferreira (c), Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, and Lizaad Williams.
For Pakistan T20Is: David Miller (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, and Lizaad Williams.
For Pakistan ODIs: Matthew Breetzke (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Sinethemba Qeshile.
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