Kwena Maphaka grabbed the spotlight despite South Africa’s defeat in the first T20I against Australia in Darwin, as the young pacer carved his name into the record books with impressive figures of 4/20. Featuring in only his eighth T20I since debuting last year, Maphaka became the youngest fast bowler from a full member nation to claim four wickets in a T20I.
Choosing to bowl first, South Africa struck early, removing Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green inside the powerplay. Kwena Maphaka ’s first breakthrough came when he bowled Mitchell Owen. The 19-year-old then dismissed Ben Dwarshuis, a dangerous Tim David, and Adam Zampa. At 19 years and 124 days, he broke the record previously held by Wayne Parnell, who was 19 years and 318 days old when he took four wickets against West Indies in 2009. Maphaka’s fiery spell also marked the first time South Africa had bowled out Australia in a T20I.
Who is Kwena Maphaka?
Kwena Maphaka first rose to fame as the Player of the Series in the 2024 ICC U-19 World Cup, where he claimed 21 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls — becoming the first player at 17 to achieve three fifers in a single edition. He narrowly missed breaking the tournament record for most wickets, set by Bangladesh’s Enamul Haque Jr in 2014, by just one wicket.
Following his U-19 heroics, Kwena Maphaka was picked by Mumbai Indians in the IPL, before joining Rajasthan Royals for the 2025 season. He has also represented Paarl Royals in SA20. Maphaka became the youngest South African to play international cricket when he debuted in T20Is against West Indies in 2024 at 18 years and 137 days old, and was recently honoured as the T20 Challenge Player of the Season at the CSA Awards 2024–25.