Kwena
Maphaka

With 21 wickets—the most for any pacer in an edition of the Under-19 World Cup—Kwena Maphaka was deservingly named the Player of the Tournament. The left-arm medium-fast bowler took South Africa U-19 team to the semi-final, where they lost to India U-19 in a thrilling encounter in early 2024. Born in Johannesburg, Maphaka got acquainted with cricket at the age of 3, playing in his backyard, where he used to bowl to his elder brother. He is an all-rounder in all senses. Apart from cricket, other sporting disciplines such as hockey, football, tennis, rugby, gymnastics, and athletics fit well in his resume. Completing his high-school studies from St. Stithians, from where Kagiso Rabada emerged, Maphaka was first sighted by the then U-19 coach of South Africa, Shukri Conrad, who was impressed with his searing pace and unplayable inswingers. He went on to play for South Africa U-19 in the World Cup 2022, ending the tournament with seven wickets in three innings. The Protea made his T20 debut for South Africa U-19 in the CSA Provincial T20 Cup 2022. He bagged a four-for in the game against the Mpumalanga Rhinos.