New Delhi: Kwena Maphaka has become the youngest South African player to make a Test debut in the second and final match against Pakistan at Newlands, Cape Town on Friday. At the age of just 18 years and 270 days, Maphaka surpassed Paul Adams’ record of the youngest South African player to make a Test debut.
Adams played his first Test match against England in 1995 at the age of 18 years and 340 days. With an exciting two-wicket victory against the Men in Green in the first Test match at Centurion, the Proteas sealed their place in this year’s World Test Championship final (WTC). The other team’s who are in the race for a spot in the WTC final are Australia, India and Sri Lanka. Australia could possibly setup the final clash against Proteas at the Lord’s if they beat India in the fifth and final Test match at Sydney.
Maphaka replaces Dane Paterson in playing XI
The promising teenager was brought into the playing XI in place of Dane Paterson, who was left out after picking up his second successive five-wicket haul at Centurion. South Africa has six successive Test wins and would be looking to secure their seventh win in the longest format in a trot in the Cape Town Test. Mphaka, a promising bowler from South Africa, made his IPL debut in 2024 with the Mumbai Indians franchise.
The pacer, who was acquired by MI in 2024 for Rs 50 lakh, was left out by the franchise before the 2025 mega auction and he was then acquired by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.50 crore for the upcoming edition. So far in the cash-rich league, the young pacer hasn’t done much but his ability could be easily gauged in the two matches he competed in. Meanwhile, after opting to bat first, Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma put the Proteas on top in the first innings with sensational knocks.
At the age of just 18 years and 270 days, pacer Kwena Maphaka surpassed Paul Adams’ record of the youngest South African player to make a Test debut. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
