Kwena Maphaka: A left-handed Kagiso Rabada, who idolises Dale Steyn and wants to take Virat Kohli’s wicket in Test cricket

Kwena Maphaka bowls quick and his progress has been meteoric. The 17-year-old left-arm seamer has been in the fast lane. Maphaka is already playing his second U-19 World Cup, has represented South Africa A, and possesses an SA20 contract with Paarl Royals.

The youngster caught the eye in his home U-19 World Cup with his fiery inswinging yorkers and quick bouncers against the West Indies. Coming off a short, bustling but rhythmic run-up, Maphaka returned figures of 5/38 and has already been tipped as the left-handed Kagiso Rabada.

Given Maphaka went to the same school, the comparisons with fellow St Stithians alumnus Rabada are expected. But the prodigy from Johannesburg is humbled with all the attention he has been receiving.

“Rabada is a great bowler and it is special to be compared to him. He is someone who has done so many incredible things in his international career. Just being compared to a great like that is something really special,” Maphaka tells The Indian Express from Potchefstroom.

A match-winning spell from the talented Kwena Maphaka 👏

Don’t miss out on the searing yorkers in the @aramco POTM highlights 📹#U19WorldCup pic.twitter.com/0m0RhhMR5s

— ICC (@ICC) January 19, 2024

Maphaka is not as tall as Rabada but is more explosive and there is certainly more aggression in his bowling. Wim Jansen, director of cricket at St Stithians, feels his ward is one of a kind.

“Kwena’s an unbelievable freak of nature. He’s got an amazing gift,” Jansen was quoted as saying by Daily Maverick.

“I always say God has a sense of humour. He gives some athletes a lot of talent but not a lot of brain and the lesser talented people he gives more brain. Kwena’s got both, which is unusual.”

The hallmark of Maphaka’s bowling is his searing pace and aggression channelled only at the stumps. He is a firebrand and feels it is so because he has played multiple sports.

“I have played a lot of sports. I have played cricket, did athletics, played hockey, football and rugby as well. I was a really sporty kid since I was really young. I have always enjoyed sport,” he says in a 10-second monologue.

The youngster also explains why he picked cricket even though he was a brilliant defender in hockey, a sport in which he still represents his province.

“I think it is the love and passion that I have for the game. There is definitely love and passion for all the other sports but cricket just tops it,” he says.

Steyn fan

Maphaka has been compared with Rabada after his heroics but it is Dale Steyn whom he really idolises and has grown up watching and wanting to emulate as an all-format bowler.

“I was lucky enough to watch Dale Steyn bowl live a few times. He has definitely been someone that I have tried to emulate. I have tried to keep something like his aggression in my game. It’s amazing to see what he has done, taking the most Test wickets in SA history, it’s an incredible feat,” he says.

“There are definitely a few things that I tried to take away from his (Steyn’s) action. But I tried to keep my action as natural as it can be and create my own brand.”

Kwena Maphaka of South Africa celebrates the wicket of Joshua Dorne of West Indies during the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom (ICC media zone)

The youngster also has clarity in his mind. At a time when there are a lot of opportunities for top cricketers on the franchise circuit, playing for South Africa is his first preference because he wants to emulate his hero in all three formats.

“It’s my dream to play all three formats for a long time. First prize is to represent South Africa in all three formats. Everything that comes in between is just a bonus,” he says.

Dreaming of Kohli’s wicket

The way Maphaka’s career has progressed so far, and if he stays fit, there is a chance that the left-arm quick would make it to the senior South African team sooner rather than later. That could provide an opportunity to realise his cricketing dream.

“If he is still playing Test cricket, I would love to take the wicket of one of the greatest batters of all time and that is Virat Kohli,” he chuckles.

“It is easier to relate to someone who is in and around our generation. Just the way he plays the game, the intensity he brings, the consistency he has throughout his career. It’s insane. He has a fast bowler’s soul in him,” says Maphaka.

Taking inspiration

Maphaka says he is not someone who visualises a lot. But at the same time, he looks at other left-arm quicks and their strengths.

Kwena Maphaka in action during SA U-19 nationals in 2019 (Special Arrangement)

“I don’t have a favourite dismissal. I do look at a few dismissals from other bowlers and try to put it into my own game. I know what kind of a yorker I want to bowl, for that I look up to Mitchell Starc. If I want to bounce someone out, I would look at Mitchell Johnson. For seam-up deliveries and to be able to move it both ways, there is Trent Boult,” he explains.

On workload

Maphaka already feels that for the sake of longevity, since he wants to play all formats, he will have to take care of his workload.

“I have been told about workload management from quite a young age. I think the first time I was told about it was when I was 12. Back then, I didn’t really understand it but I kind of got along with it,” he says.

“But the more explanation that has been done to me, I understood that it is for injury prevention. It is really great to know how your body works as a fast bowler, to know your limits, to know what you can do, to know when to stop. It really helps in the longevity of your career, which I am certainly looking forward to,” says Maphaka.

Kwena Maphaka plays hockey for his province and is a defender (Special Arrangement)

Sporting family

The pacer says growing up in a sporting family has helped him become a good athlete. His father Maboe Maphaka was a footballer, his mother Raesibe was in athletics, and his elder brother Tetelo is a left-arm spinner.

“It was easy for me because my parents were sportspersons. The environment at home was quite sporty,” he says.

Maphaka also acknowledges his parents’ role in his career. “My parents have been really important in my life and cricketing journey. They tried to be at every single game of mine. If I have to travel, they are normally always there. It is something they love doing. I am really grateful that they have helped me get in the position that I am in. They have made a lot of sacrifices and put in a lot of work into my career.”

With all the success coming his way so quickly, the youngster wants to stay grounded.

“I am just keeping myself humble. I am trying to keep my feet on the ground and making sure that I try to put in better performances every day,” he says.

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