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Conrad confident in Maphaka's role for the 2026 T20 World Cup

The Mercury

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January 05, 2026

PROTEAS coach Shukri Conrad believes that the 19-year-old Kwena Maphaka can play an important role in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India following the announcement of South Africa's 15-player squad on Friday.

Maphaka has recently returned from injury, one that kept him sidelined for weeks.

However, on Friday, Conrad and Convenor Selector Patrick Moroney announced that the 19-year-old has been included in the squad for the showpiece event.

Maphaka's inclusion meant that Ottneil Baartman, who played in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, and in last month's T20 series in India, would be excluded from the squad.

Conrad believes that Maphaka has the X-factor in T20 cricket.

"With regards to Kwena, Kwena is a bit of an X-factor in T20, Conrad told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.

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