Latest news with #KwenaMaphaka
TimesLIVE
5 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Proteas search for solutions to erase Black Caps hoodoo
The next few days in the Proteas camp will be spent in search of solutions on how to sucker-punch New Zealand in the Tri-Series final in Harare on Saturday. The Black Caps have been all over South Africa like a rash in white ball cricket in 2025, dating back to the Champions Trophy semifinal and now in the series in Zimbabwe. The Proteas squad on duty in Harare is a second-string outfit but they will not have taken kindly to being convincingly beaten twice by the Kiwis in a 21-run defeat last week and a seven-wicket loss on Tuesday. 💬 Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka reflect with pride as they celebrate the success of their former teammate, Riley Norton, who led the Junior Springboks to glory in the U20 Rugby Championship! 🏆🇿🇦 #WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 22, 2025 In the most recent defeat, batting was the main issue, while in the first game it was ill-discipline in line and length by the Proteas bowlers that let the Black Caps batsmen off the hook as they recovered from 74/5 to register 173/5. Other than Reeza Hendricks' 41, there were no major contributions in the batting, even though the coaches reshuffled the order. With the ball, Senuran Muthusamy gave South Africa some hope soon after the power play with the dismissals of Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman, but man-of-the-match Tim Seifert had already done the damage. 'I think obviously a better batting performance is needed. We'll reflect and see how everybody went about the game today,' Hendricks said. 'We have a couple of days of practise, and hopefully on Saturday, we come out a lot stronger. 'We've played against them now, so we know what they're bringing and they know what we're about too. So we just have to reflect on our own games and hopefully we can put up a better performance.' Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has used the series, his first as white ball coach since taking the reins from Rob Walter, who is coaching New Zealand, for experimental purposes. He roped in several young players, including Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kwena Maphaka, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane and Dewald Brevis. This is part of a strategy to get them used to the environment, and to be part of the preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup. A win over the Black Caps and lifting the trophy will no doubt be considered a bonus and a step in the right direction. Daily Dispatch
The Herald
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Error-ridden Proteas downed by efficient New Zealand
The Proteas, who made three changes to the side that defeated Zimbabwe in the competition's opening match on Monday, chose to field and dominated the first half of the New Zealand innings. Excellent use of the short ball by Kwena Maphaka and Gerald Coetzee — the latter playing his first international since the Test in Durban last November against Sri Lanka — picked up the wickets of Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell respectively. Making his T20 International debut, Senuran Muthusamy claimed the wicket of Mitchell Hay and when Maphaka had Jimmy Neesham caught in the deep for a duck, the Proteas had control of the innings. However Robinson, who is looking to establish himself in New Zealand's T20 side, stayed calm and in Jacobs found a teammate willing to show the requisite patience as they gradually grew accustomed to a surface that was slow, but where scoring was possible once batters were acclimatised. The Proteas also overdid use of the short ball especially in the latter stages of the New Zealand innings, with both of the Kiwi batters comfortably taking twos to the longer boundary at the Harare Sports Club. As South Africa faltered, bowling a total of 13 wides, Robinson and Jacobs grew in confidence. The former registered his second T20 International half-century eventually finishing unbeaten on 75, facing 57 balls and hitting six fours and three sixes. Jacobs made 44 off 30 balls, with three sixes and just one four. South Africa conceded 63 runs in the last five overs. Muthusamy was the best of the Proteas bowling conceding 19 runs in four overs and the fact that George Linde only bowled one over is a part of the strategy that will be debated in the post-match debrief. In contrast both of New Zealand's spinners, Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner completed their full complement of overs, conceding a combined 70 runs and picking up three wickets.
IOL News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Rassie van der Dussen expects Lhuan-dre Pretorius to use his 'good cricket brain' to adapt to T20
Lhuan-dre Pretorius will be hoping to transfer his Proteas Test form to the upcoming T2OI Tri-Series in Harare. Picture: AFP Image: AFP WHEN Proteas stand-in skipper Rassie van der Dussen made his first-class debut back in 2008 a couple of his teammates for the upcoming T20I Tri-Series in Harare were still in diapers. But teenagers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka, who were both just two years old, now form the core of a whole new generation of talented South African cricketers that are being mass produced in the SA20 factory. Allrounders Andile Simelane and Dewald Brevis plus leg-spinner Nqaba Peter complete a dynamic group that have all been unearthed in South Africa's premier domestic T20 competition. Van der Dussen is certainly excited to be leading this group of young players in the Tri-Series, which kicks off against Zimbabwe in Harare on Monday. 'It's really exciting. We've got four debutants, they're guys who have put in performances over the last 12 to 18 months,' Van der Dussen said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'A guy like Luan-dre has banged the door down. Even a guy like Dewalf Brevis. He's played two (T20I's) already, but he's had a great six months. First in SA20, then in IPL. And it just speaks of our depth. 'We've got Nqaba Peter and a few youngsters actually coming in. Andile Similani is really exciting. Kwena Maphaka, obviously. He'll be raring to go, having had a disappointing Test in Bulawayo. He'll definitely come out with something to prove. 'And that's exciting. You want guys pushing, you want as many players as possible pushing for spots in the team, not only in the team, but going forward in the long run as well. 'So that's where our team's at the moment. I'm really looking forward to those next two weeks.' All eyes will be on Pretorius though. The powerful left-hander has made an immediate impression in every format of the game he's played thus far. From striking 97 on his SA20 debut for the Paarl Royals through to his magnificent 153 on Test bow a fortnight ago, the 19-year-old has shot the lights out. New threads. Same pride. Same mission. 🔥🧵🤩 The Proteas men are ready to take on whatever comes next. 🇿🇦🏏#WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 13, 2025 'He's a great kid with a really good head on his shoulders,' Van der Dussen said. 'He's a guy who has the power game, obviously, and he combines that with talent and some flair. But he's got a really good cricketing brain as well, so it's not often that you see all those attributes together. 'That's why he could get into Test cricket and adapt straight away. He's obviously made his mark more in T20 cricket and SA20 and so forth and been to the IPL. 'But he has really good first-class stats as well, and that shows you the guy has the game and the mind to adapt to any format, and that's what you're looking for.' SQUADS FOR THE T20I TRI-SERIES OPENER AT HARARE SPORTS CLUB Proteas: Rassie van der Dussen (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane. Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri and Tafadzwa Tsiga. Start: 1pm
Daily Maverick
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
SA look to Kwena Maphaka to turn aggression into wickets against Zimbabwe
South Africa's seam attack looks to remain unchanged as young Kwena Maphaka aims for his first wicket on tour. South Africa unloaded a barrage of inexperienced players at Zimbabwe in the first Test in Bulawayo this past week, and while most had matches to remember, young left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka did not. Corbin Bosch, in his second Test, scored a hundred and picked up a five-wicket haul. The debutant trio of Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who scored a big century, Dewald Brevis, who struck a half-century and picked up his maiden Test wicket, and Codi Yusuf — who cumulatively collected six wickets in total — all had outstanding maiden showings. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Only Maphaka, of the inexperienced bunch, had a match in which he didn't tick off a milestone. Maphaka bowled 22 overs across both innings, conceded 80 runs and picked up no wickets. The young left-arm quick was aggressive, knocking a few Zimbabwe batters on the head with the red cherry, including forcing opener Brian Bennett to be substituted after a rising bouncer struck him on the helmet. In that regard, he did the job he was asked to do, but the wickets column didn't reward his efforts, which were relentless but oftentimes wayward. 'Sometimes someone doesn't get wickets, it doesn't mean he didn't contribute,' Proteas bowling coach Piet Botha said. 'One of the messages was that he needs to be aggressive. I thought he was really aggressive. He did a good role in that respect.' Lack of red-ball experience The 19-year-old has only played five first-class matches, two of which have come in the form of Test matches for his country. Conversely, Maphaka has already played 50 professional white-ball matches — either 50- or 20-over matches. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads His lack of red-ball experience was evident in his ploy to take wickets, especially in the second innings: bouncers, yorkers and slower balls. While those are often supremely effective in limited-overs cricket, where batters are looking to score quickly, it's not as potent in Test cricket as batters are happy to just see those deliveries out. The rapid speed with which Maphaka is capable of delivering the ball, while intimidating for batters, can also be to his detriment when the bowling mechanics aren't aligned perfectly. His economy rate in the first innings was 4.33, more than any other South African bowler. 'Because he's got the pace and you're playing on good wickets generally in Test cricket, if you get it slightly wrong, the batters will be on top of you,' Botha said. 'We've spoken about it. We've worked out some training methods for him. It's basically just getting your body conditioned to bowling that disciplined line and length for long periods. 'You need to play a lot of cricket to get to that, and also from a practise point of view, we need to pay attention to small things like that when we practise. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads 'That's also been discussed with him and that's part of our progress plan for Kwena.' advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Gaining experience South Africa come up against Zimbabwe in the second Test that starts on Sunday, and Maphaka is set to feature again after senior bowler Lungi Ngidi — who was set to travel to Bulawayo for the second match — was released from the squad and remained in South Africa. According to Botha, Maphaka needs to gain red-ball experience to improve. South Africa's next Test match is only in November, against India, and the domestic season also only starts in the summer. There are 15 international white-ball matches scheduled before then. When Maphaka will hone his red-ball skills with the influx of limited-overs matches is uncertain. Apart from Ngidi, there is also the matter of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen returning to the side, which will make regular game time for the youngster difficult to find. 'As a coach, you can do a lot in terms of talking to a person, working with him technically — but he needs to pick up experience,' Botha said. 'That's the most important for all of us who've played cricket. You learn as you play. For him, it's just about getting a lot more four-day cricket and five-day cricket under the belt, and then he'll improve. 'As he's in the environment, as he goes through his experiences, he'll also work things out for himself. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads 'We can talk through things… but it's all about that exposure and making sure that he learns as he goes and he picks up his confidence as he goes.' DM advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads The second Test between South Africa and Zimbabwe gets under way from Sunday at 10am.
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
World Test champs South Africa unleash next generation tempests, Kwena Maphaka and Cody Yusuf on Zimbabwe
Far from the more glamour Tests underway in England, South African express pacer Kwena Maphaka is ushering in the new batch of Proteas quicks, and at the receiving end are Zimbabwe. On the second day of the first Test in Bulwayo, with most of the WTC winning Proteas fighters still resting up, and a brand new squad under Keshav Maharaj taking the field, two quick bowlers have left Zimbabwe dizzy. Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett was struck on his helmet first, and ended up returning to a concussion, and later 38-year-old Sean Williams, batting calmly was jolted with another struke onbhis helmet crest. Both times it was the new Proteas pace sensation – Kwena Maphaka, who though still wicketless is raising speed temperatures. It was the finest way to ring in Dale Steyn's birthday. But the searing pacer is tipped by coach Shukri Conrad to realise his full potential only in 'three to four years time.' Wiaan Mulder (4/50), a WTC winner, told Cape Argus that the 19-year-old carried an X factor that was hard to overlook. 'I think Kwena is learning quite quickly as he's going,' Mulder was quoted as sayinv by Cape Argus. 'I think international cricket is super difficult, so if you're not going to be able to land it in an area that hits the top of the stumps more often than not, no matter how much the ball is moving, guys are going to score, especially good players like Sean Williams. 'They're going to keep scoring all the time, and I think that's the only challenge for Kwena is how can he take that X factor and the balls in between, keep going at maybe one run or a couple of dots in between. 'We all know he's going to be a superstar, to be honest with you, and I saw a stat yesterday that he's 19 years and 81 days or something. He's honestly still way behind the years in many ways. I'm 27 now, so I can say that, but I think he's going to be an exceptional bowler. There's just something special about him. When you face him in the nets, there's just something. The ball's always moving, it's super fast.' Maphaka debuted in December 2024 and his first Test wicket in a 4-fer against Pakistan was Babar Azam. While Zimbabwe aren't the toughest of opponents in Tests, there's always curiosity over the Proteas pace pack, and also coming through in the first Test is Lions' Cody Yusuf, reminiscent of Morne Morkel and his accuracy. 'I've played with Cody at my domestic team at home, and, I mean, he's been an inspiration for us. He literally bowls like that every single week,' Mulder was quoted. 'He's exceptional. He's got the biggest heart. He doesn't ever give up. And I think what you saw of him is just a glimpse of what we've seen at the Lions at home. 'I think he's going to be an exceptional bowler going forward, and I'm super happy for him because he's one of those guys that the way he approaches the game is not with all shouting and abusing people and, you know, ultimate aggression and, you know, all the fluff, I'd say. 'He does it week in, week out, just with his heart, and he just bowls with everything he has.' Yusuf, 27, is an old-school cricketer described by as, 'Yusuf is no express tearaway but he hits that awkward length with consistency and offers just enough movement to keep batters second-guessing. He is especially dangerous with the older ball, using subtle variations and bounce off the deck.' Zimbabwe are chasing 505 to win after SA scored 418 and 359, and the hosts got 251 and 32/1 heading into Day 4.
