{
  "id": 4804241,
  "title": "‘I’m confident in my abilities’: Kwena Maphaka believes he can fill Kagiso Rabada’s shoes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/im-confident-in-my-abilities-kwena-maphaka-believes-he-can-fill",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T06:31:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/cricket/kwena-maphaka-believes-fill-kagiso-rabada-shoes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Africa's 20-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has expressed his confidence in his ability to step into veteran Kagiso Rabada's shoes should he miss the upcoming one-day international series against Australia. The decision on Rabada’s participation in the three-match ODI series, scheduled for Durban, Johannesburg, and Potchefstroom from September 24-30, has not been finalized. Maphaka believes he can fill Rabada’s role, stating that he has the necessary experience and skills. He has led the bowling attack for both the Lions and South Africa’s U-19 team, and he is confident in his abilities, having spent time in the Proteas setup. Maphaka attributes his progress to his hard work during the off-season, working closely with Proteas bowling coach Piet Botha and Lions bowling coach Allan Donald. He was pleased with his performance in South Africa’s T20 win over Zimbabwe, taking 1/24 in his first match in nearly two months. Maphaka is eager to build on this momentum when South Africa faces Zimbabwe in the third match of the T20 tri-series in Windhoek on Tuesday. He hopes to seize the opportunity to prove himself before the national squad is announced for the home tour against Australia. Maphaka feels the ongoing series against lower-ranked sides is the ideal platform to showcase his skills and secure a place in the national team.",
  "summary": "Maphaka is expected to be given another opportunity to prove himself in the T20 tri-series match between South Africa and Zimbabwe on Tuesday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}