WINDHOEK – South Africa’s teenage left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has been ruled out of the team’s one-off Twenty20 International (T20I) against Namibia on Saturday, as well as their entire white-ball tour to Pakistan, after suffering a hamstring strain.
The 19-year-old sustained the injury during a domestic four-day match last week. Medical assessments later confirmed a Grade 1–2 hamstring strain, which will require around four weeks of rehabilitation.
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Maphaka has been replaced by Ottneil Baartman for the T20s against Namibia and Pakistan, while Lizaad Williams will step in for the One Day Internationals (ODIs) on the subcontinent.
South Africa are scheduled to play three T20Is in Pakistan from October 28 to November 1, followed by three ODIs between November 4 and 8.
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The youngster’s absence is a setback for South Africa, as Maphaka had been tipped as one of the rising stars in their pace attack after his standout performances at the 2024 ICC Under-19 World Cup.