A young bowler from Mashu, Nqobani Mokoena, also showed that his future in cricket is bright, standing out in his first match for the national team.
This player (19) is one of the youngsters included in the national T20 team that is playing a series of five matches in New Zealand, since most of the players who were part of the T20 World Cup are still rested.
Mokoena was named man of the match as the Proteas thrashed New Zealand by seven wickets in the series opener at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on Sunday.
In this game, he took three wickets, removing Jimmy Neesham, Zak Foulkes and Cole McConchie, and scored 26 runs.
This player who grew up in Cricket South Africa’s organizations to develop players from townships and rural areas, received a scholarship from one of the best schools in Durban, Northwood, in Durban North, because of his ability in cricket.
He thanked his mother, Princess, for raising him alone as he has reached this level.
“For this match, I would like to thank my mother who overcame many things raising me and my brother alone. She is everything to me. She went through a lot of difficulties. I know she was watching the match at Mashu’s house and I am in a hurry to talk to her,” said Mokwena while speaking to the Proteas media team at the end of the match.
“Playing for the first time in the big national team means a lot to me. When I saw the flags I remembered the time when I was playing for the small national team and I was rushing for the game to start.
“I’m happy with what I’ve achieved at this high level by taking three wickets, and being selected as the best player. My first two overs didn’t go well but I’m happy because I was given the chance to come back again, I did better.”
In 2024, Mokwena played for the Under-19 national team in the World Cup, and also joined KwaZulu-Natal’s biggest team, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins.
In September last year he was bought by Paarl Royals for R200 000 ahead of the 2025/26 Betway SA20 season, where he once again stood out taking 13 wickets.
“We are not surprised to see Nqobani’s rise to the national team. He is a player who works hard and shows strength at a young age at this level. We are proud of what he has achieved and he is a sign of the good work we are doing in KZN to develop talent from our province,” said the CEO of KZN Cricket, Heinrich Strydom.