Proteas fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has had an impressive year both on and off the field, and recently, his hard work paid off academically.

In addition to making his debut for the Lions and playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Maphaka also successfully passed his matric in 2024, proving that he can excel both in sports and in the classroom.

Overcoming Challenges to Complete Matric

The 18-year-old left-arm fast bowler, a former student at St Stithians College, achieved a bachelor’s pass and came close to earning a hat-trick of distinctions.

Despite the whirlwind of events in his cricket career, Maphaka managed to balance his academic responsibilities with his growing professional cricket career.

St Stithians College headmaster, David du Toit, expressed pride in Maphaka’s achievements, particularly considering the challenges he faced.

“We are very proud of Kwena’s achievements and his many good results in his final examinations,” said du Toit.

“He showed resilience, discipline, and independence, completing some of his curriculum online with tutors or on his own due to the disruptions caused by the Under-19 World Cup, the IPL, and his Proteas tour to the West Indies.”

Impressive Academic Results

Maphaka’s subject results highlight his dedication to both his cricket career and academics:

History: 78%
English: 76%
Afrikaans: 75%
Life Orientation: 73%

These results reflect his commitment to his studies, despite the time constraints caused by his demanding cricket schedule.

A Rising Star in Cricket

Maphaka is currently playing in the SA20 tournament, following a successful Test debut just a few weeks ago.

His talent hasn’t gone unnoticed, with SA20 commissioner and former Proteas captain Graeme Smith praising his natural ability.

Smith emphasized that Maphaka’s free-spirited approach to bowling is one of his greatest strengths.

“He is a supreme talent, and I like the fact that he is a natural.

I don’t want him to be over-coached,” Smith said.

“He has a good understanding of the game. If he bowls a bad spell, he bounces back.

He isn’t afraid to go for yorkers and bouncers.

It’s important that we don’t turn him into a robot at this stage.”

Maphaka’s Bright Future

Smith continued to emphasize the importance of letting Maphaka develop naturally.

“He is a natural wicket-taker, and that’s what you always want in a bowler.

We need to let him grow, learn, and develop at his own pace.

We don’t want to kill that instinct he has.”

Kwena Maphaka’s 2024 has been nothing short of a dream, and with his talent and resilience, it seems that the sky’s the limit for this rising cricket star.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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