There were two outstanding moments on the second day of the first Test here in Bulwayo.
First, Kwena Maphaka produced a rasping delivery that struck Brian Bennett flush on the crest of his green Zimbabwe helmet. The opener had looked comfortable up until that point, moving to 19 from 28 balls, but was forced to retire from concussion.
Second, Sean Williams, batting masterfully and in control of proceedings, too gets hit bang on the helmet from Maphaka.
While Williams may be a 38-year-old veteran, he was seeing the ball like a watermelon during his brilliant 137, but even he could not move out the way of another rapid delivery from the Proteas teenage paceman.
60 overs in, and Codi Yusuf has landed an early blow in the final session! 💪🏏
Zimbabwe is 238/7 as the Proteas continue to tighten the screws with relentless pressure and precision. 🔥🇿🇦 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/YsBRJRPJtb
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 29, 2025
It is moments like these that separates Maphaka from the rest, and why the Proteas’ future hinges on his searing pace.
But like coach Shukri Conrad said before this opening Test that Maphaka’s full capabilities will only be seen in “three to four years time” and not necessarily now, the balls between those two deliveries showed that the 19-year-old is still very much work in progress.
Instead, it was left to his Lions teammates Wiaan Mulder (4/50) and debutant Codi Yusuf (3/42) to provide the control that saw the hosts dismissed for 251 in reply to the Proteas’ 418/9 declared.
Mulder, though, certainly believes the X-factor Maphaka brings to the party is hugely impressive.
“I think Kwena is learning quite quickly as he’s going,” Mulder said. “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.”
Mulder was equally full of praise for his fellow Lions teammate Yusuf’s accuracy and no-nonsense approach to the game.
“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,” he said.
“He’s exceptional. He’s got the biggest heart. He doesn’t ever give up. And I think what you saw today 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.”
Mulder claimed the Proteas “would bat as long as they can” to stretch their lead, which is currently 216 with nine wickets remaining, but did admit coach Shukri Conrad is “aggressive” and the target the visitors eventually set will be about finding “a way to learn for us as well”.
