While the young left-arm fast bowler plays for the Johannesburg-based Lions in domestic cricket, he has been contracted to play for the Paarl Royals in the SA20.

The player, who made his Test debut during the 2nd Test against Pakistan earlier this year, is set to play in his first SA20 game this weekend.

The 18-year-old seamer is part of the Paarl Royals, who will kick off their campaign at Boland Park on Saturday when they host the back-to-back defending champions, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, in what will be their second game of the tournament.

Incredibly, Maphaka has already played in the Indian Premier League, representing the Mumbai Indians during the 2023 tournament in India. While it was a steep learning curve for the player, who was still in school at the time, he has since gone on to represent South Africa as a fully-fledged international, having played in T20 Internationals, One-Day Internationals, and Test cricket.

Maphaka said his life has changed significantly since completing matric last year.

Kwena Maphaka playing for the Mumbai Indians during the 2023 Indian Premier League.  Photo: Cricinfo

“Yeah, it’s been a really good summer – really special for me and my cricketing career,” said the teenager, who has a very promising future ahead.

“I think it’s crazy to see how quickly things have moved and how much my life has changed. But I’m just trying to keep my feet on the ground and continue being the player that I am – keep learning and striving for success.”

Saturday’s game between the Royals and Sunrisers at Boland Park in Paarl is scheduled to begin at 13:00. At 17:30, the action shifts to the Wanderers in Johannesburg, where the Joburg Super Kings will open their campaign against MI Cape Town.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg