South African teenage pace sensation Kwena Maphaka has been handed his maiden Test call-up after being drafted into the Proteas squad for the second Test match against Sri Lanka, which starts in Gqeberha from Thursday.
The 18-year-old pacer will replace the injured Gerald Coetzee in the South Africa squad.
Coetzee suffered a groin strain during the fourth day of the first South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test 2024 match in Durban, Kingsmead, and has been ruled out of the Gqeberha encounter.
Maphaka made his international debut in August of this year and played three T20Is against the West Indies during South Africa’s tour of the Caribbean.
Just 18 years and 137 days old at the time of his debut, Maphaka is also the youngest player to ever play senior cricket for the South African senior national team. The teenager, however, will need to fend off competition from Dane Paterson and Senuran Muthusamy to make the Test XI against Sri Lanka.
South Africa dominated the first Test in Durban, securing a convincing 233-run victory. This win marks their fourth consecutive Test victory and keeps them in contention for a place in the ICC World Test Championship final, scheduled for Lord's next June.
A victory in Gqeberha will significantly boost their chances, while a subsequent series win against Pakistan later this month would guarantee their spot in the final.
Maphaka has played two IPL matches for the Mumbai Indians last season and has been signed up by the Rajasthan Royals at the IPL 2025 mega auction last month.
South Africa squad vs Sri Lanka for 2nd Test: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne
