RISING STAR FILE. South Africa's Kwena Maphaka (right) has already played for the Proteas in all three formats. Picture: Rodger Bosch / AFP
Image: Rodger Bosch / AFP
The Proteas once again tripped, stumbled and fell at a major ICC tournament semifinal.
With the next ICC World Cup set to be on home soil in 2027 and the majority of the team over 30, Independent Media’s Zaahier Adams takes a look at five youngsters that could provide the X-factor.
1. Tristan Stubbs (24)
The dashing right-hander is already an all-format player for the Proteas. He would most likely have played more than the single game against England - where he batted in the unfamiliar opening role and was dismissed for a duck - if he was not currently in the worst form of his fledgling career.
Stubbs, though, is a class act. He needs a solid offseason to recharge and also to recover from his injured wrist which will get him back into the groove. He’s also an athletic fielder that brings dynamism to the Proteas whenever he is on the park.
Tristan Stubbs in action. Picture: Steve Bardens/AFP
Image: Steve Bardens/AFP
2. Matthew Breetzke (26)
Stubbs’s Warriors teammate has long been heralded a player for the future. It’s taken him a little longer than expected to break through to the international stage, but Breetzke is now in his prime. A magnificent 150 on his ODI debut during the Tri-Series in Pakistan prior to the ICC Champions Trophy followed by another half-century showed that Breetzke is ready to take the step up.
3. Dewald Brevis (21)
The former SA U19 prodigy is a generational talent. Brevis possesses bucket loads of X-factor and is now starting to fulfill his immense potential. Having rid himself of the pressure of being compared to his boyhood idol Proteas legend AB de Villiers, Brevis has matured into the best version of himself. He enjoyed an excellent Betway SA20 and has continued that form into the CSA 1-Day Cup. His ball-striking ability is simply amazing, and fields catches that will take your breath away.
4. Kwena Maphaka (18)
The St Stithians matriculant has been on a rollercoaster journey the past 18 months. Smashing records at the ICC U19 World Cup last year on home soil led to a debut at the Indian Premier League and further maiden appearances for the Proteas across formats - becoming the youngest South African to achieve this distinction in the process. Maphaka also enjoyed a first SA20 season with Paarl Royals recently.
The step up to senior cricket hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the left-arm seamer, but then again he is still a teenager that is learning his trade under the microscope of the cameras.
Maphaka is easily among the fastest bowlers in the country, having clocked speeds in excess of 150 km/hour last season, and that is worth its weight in gold. He is currently the most precious commodity in South African cricket and needs to be handled with kid gloves to get the best out of him in 2027 where he is destined to lead the Proteas attack with his hero Kagiso Rabada.
Kwena Maphaka celebrates with his Proteas teammates after claiming his first Test wicket, Pakistan star Babar Azam, at Newlands last Sunday. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
5. Lhuan-dre Pretorius (18)
Last, but certainly not least, Pretorius is currently the most exciting talent in South African cricket. His exploits may see him supersede names mentioned above in this article such is rapid rase. The teenager, who was part of the same SA U19 side as Maphaka, is burning up domestic cricket at the moment. Top runscorer at the first time of asking in the SA20 for the Paarl Royals followed by sensational back-to-back List A centuries for the Titans in the Cricket SA 1-Day Cup. An upcoming trip to Hampshire to play in England’s T20 Blast will help him grow his game even further. A national call-up is certainly not far away for the powerful left-handed opener.