Maphaka’s New Look

Kwena Maphaka strides into the interview room full of confidence. Perhaps it is the new haircut.

The short back and sides Maphaka sported whilst still schooling at St Stithians Boys’ College has been dispensed with. Instead, it’s been replaced with some slick cornrows that exude some cool hip-hop vibes.

“I think change is good sometimes,” Maphaka said.

The teenage fast bowler is, of course, not only referencing his fresh hairstyle, but also his move from Paarl Royals to Durban’s Super Giants after being picked up by the Kingsmead-based side in the Season 4 Player Auction.

“Yeah, I remember exactly where I was during the auction,” he enthuses. “I was with the Proteas. We were in England. We were actually training as the auction was going on, and I didn’t really want to know what was happening.

“I had just come back from bowling because it was raining, and then I heard, Kwena, you’re up, and I just ran away from the team room.

“Yeah. But really, really excited to be playing for Durban Super Giants. It’s always nice to have a new environment around you, and I think it’s going to be a really good season.”

The last two years have been a blur for the 19-year-old seamer. After starring in the ICC U19 World Cup on home soil for the Junior Proteas, Maphaka was catapulted into the senior Proteas side across formats, and in the process becoming the youngest South African to make his Test debut.

He also tasted action with two IPL teams, namely Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, and debuted for Paarl Royals in the Betway SA20.

It all paved the way for a breakout international series against Australia earlier this year when Maphaka finished as the leading wicket-taker across both teams with nine scalps in three T20Is.

Unfortunately for the teenager, he could not build on this momentum after suffering a groin strain that ruled him out of the subsequent international tours to Namibia, Pakistan and India.

His comeback match was the Betway SA20 Boxing Day clash against MI Cape Town, where despite being a bit ring-rusty at the outset, he held his nerve in the crunch penultimate over to concede just nine runs and claim the crucial wicket of Dwaine Pretorius.

“Yeah. I’ve recently come back from injury, so I was just dying to get back out on the field,” Maphaka said.

“We’ve had a few conversations about my role in the team, so I’m really excited for what’s going to come.”

Maphaka was too young to see his coach Lance Klusener in action outside of YouTube highlights reels but has managed to forge a good relationship with “Zulu” already.

“Yeah, I previously have watched a few clips of our coach,” he said. “Not too much banter about it, but yeah, he’s a really good coach, a really chilled and fun guy.

“So, I think he’s also going to be a really, really important part of our season.”

See all the stats, facts and analysis today when Maphaka makes his Kingsmead bow in Durban’s Super Giants colours

On Sunday, he will have the opportunity to further his comeback when he turns out at his new home ground Kingsmead for the first time in a DSG shirt in the return match against MI Cape Town.

He is certainly champing at the bit to get stuck in hopefully to soon become a fan favourite.

“I really do like Kingsmead. The vibe is going to be really good,” Maphaka said.

“Obviously, I haven’t played there very much, but the few times that I have played there have been really nice.

“Decent wicket for seamers, and there’s definitely something on offer for everyone, so I think it’s going to be a really nice place to play my cricket.”