South Africa's Kwena Maphaka has already played for the Proteas in all three formats.
Image: AFP
With Kwena Maphaka, South Africa witnessed an unrivalled rise to the highest level. Maphaka went from playing in the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup to becoming a fully fledged, all-format Proteas player in less than 12 months — a rise the country has arguably never witnessed before.
At 18-years-old, Maphaka became the youngest ever Proteas Test cricketer, breaking Paul Adams' record, which had stood for almost three decades. With sheer pace, accuracy, and consistency, Maphaka broke into the Proteas' 2025 ICC Champions Trophy squad, albeit as a travelling reserve.
South Africa made it to the semi-finals of the tournament, and even though Maphaka did not play a single game, he would have gained invaluable experience that could benefit South Africa in the future ... and more immediately in the upcoming IPL.
"The Champions Trophy was obviously my first ICC event with the senior side," Maphaka told Independent Media in an exclusive interview.
"It was definitely different from some of my past experiences at ICC events with the U19s, where I had more of a senior role. It was quite nice and quite refreshing to be a junior again and just learn and pick up things from other guys rather than being the one to impart knowledge."
"It was just a really good experience being able to sit in the dugout, train with the guys, you know, just prepping them for what they might come up against, while also learning from them and seeing how they go about their business when it's crunch time.
"I think that was really, really nice, and it's definitely going to hold me in good stead for future ICC events if I'm there."
Having been with the Proteas in the Champions Trophy, Maphaka was also able to develop his game and gauge himself against some of the best cricketers in the world. With the likes of Kagiso Rabada ia mainstay in the national setup, Maphaka would have picked up insights into what it means to be an all-format fast bowler, how to prepare for games, and how to maintain a long career.
"I think my game is definitely in a good space, coming out of the Champions Trophy," said Maphaka.
"Coming off a good year last year and starting this year off well, really pushed me nicely into a position where I could start learning from the best, observe their intensity in training and games, and see the skill set required for international cricket
"Just being able to be around those guys, match their intensity, mimic what they're doing while honing my own skills, was definitely really important, and I'm really grateful to have been part of the Champions Trophy squad.
"Seeing the skill and intensity expected from an international fast bowler at the highest level, I think I'm definitely on my way there — if not already at that level — and I think that’s really good."
Having been part of the IPL for the first time last year, Maphaka is bracing for his second season, despite having switched teams from Mumbai Indians to Rajasthan Royals.
The latter start their campaign in that tournament on Sunday against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and that could present Maphaka his first opportunity to apply his Champions Trophy lessons and experiences on a competitve matchday.