South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has placed full confidence in teenage pace sensation Kwena Maphaka, naming the 19-year-old left-arm seamer as the spearhead of the Proteas’ bowling unit for the upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe. The series opener, set to begin on Saturday in Bulawayo, also marks the start of South Africa’s ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
With senior pacers Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen unavailable, South Africa will field a new-look bowling attack featuring Maphaka alongside Corbin Bosch and debutant Codi Yusuf. Keshav Maharaj, returning as captain in place of the injured Temba Bavuma, will provide spin support as the most experienced member of the squad.
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Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Conrad acknowledged the significant responsibility placed on Maphaka’s young shoulders. “With Lungi not being here for the first Test, Kwena’s going to lead the bowling attack. As a 19-year-old, when you get given that responsibility, it not only speaks volumes for how highly you are rated but also for the calibre and mentality that he possesses. He shows maturity way beyond his years,” Conrad said.
Maphaka made his Test debut earlier this year against Pakistan, operating as the fourth seamer behind Rabada, Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder. In that outing, he returned figures of 3 for 90 from 21.2 overs, impressing selectors with his pace and discipline. Now, he steps into the lead role as the Proteas look to build a new pace core.
“In Zimbabwe, in Test cricket specifically, he is not the third quick behind KG and Marco. He is the main dog,” Conrad added. “That responsibility will grow massively, and we have to be smart about when and how we expose him to big moments. This is one of those moments.”
Maharaj, who led South Africa to a WTC title earlier this year after Bavuma sustained a hamstring injury during the final, will captain a youthful side that features three debutants: batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius, all-rounder Dewald Brevis, and pacer Codi Yusuf.
The batting order includes Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke as openers, followed by Wiaan Mulder at No. 3. David Bedingham has been promoted to No. 4, with Pretorius and Brevis to follow. Pretorius arrives in good form, having scored 485 runs in seven first-class games at an average of 60.62, while Brevis impressed in the recent IPL season with 225 runs for Chennai Super Kings at a strike rate of 180.
Kyle Verreynne will take the gloves and bat at No. 7, rounding out a lineup that features just four players from the XI that played the WTC Final against Australia at Lord’s.
Maharaj, meanwhile, is on the verge of a historic personal milestone, needing just one more wicket to become the first South African spinner to claim 200 Test wickets.
SA’s Playing XI: Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj (c), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka.
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