Kwena Maphaka (17) called up by Paarl Royals for Betway SA20 Season 2

Kwena Maphaka, St Stithians’ 17-year-old, was overjoyed when he got the surprise call to tell him that he would be joining the Paarl Royals squad for the upcoming Betway SA20 Season 2. 

The left-arm seamer captured the attention of the Royals scouts for his recent exploits as one the youngest members in the SA U19 team that took part in last year’s ICC U19 Men’s World Cup in the Caribbean.

Next up for Maphaka was a momentous selection for the South Africa ‘A’ senior side for their recent winter tour to Sri Lanka. He was selected for the first unofficial Test, picking up the first wicket in Sri Lanka’s first innings to break a 66-run opening stand, Udara being caught by Hermann for 42. He picked up a second wicket to end with 2/43 after his first inning of his first-class debut.

In Sri Lanka’s second innings, Maphaka dismissed skipper Dhananjaya for 11, caught behind by Qeshile. Maphaka ended the innings with figures of 1/27.

He made his List A debut for the SA Emerging side, picking up opener Liam Peters for a golden duck off the first ball of the innings, which was also the first ball of his whiteball career. 

He added the wicket of Morne Venter (57) before bowling Sizwe Masondo (16) to cap a superb whiteball debut with figures of 3/60.

The Paarl Royals scouts took the initiative to snapp the youngster up based on his superb progress even before the Season 2 auction took place. 

“I was super stoked. I had to go home and recollect myself. It is really exciting to be picked for SA20. It’s a real privilege,” said Maphaka.

Whether or not he gets any game time, Maphaka is sure to benefit immensely from sharing practice time and a locker room with Paarl Royals’ opening bowler Lungi Ngidi as well as their left-arm West Indies star Obed McCoy. 

The Betway SA20 will run from 10 January to 10 February 2024.