The 2025 Betway SA20 season is officially underway, and while the country tunes in to see South Africa’s cricketing future unfold, some of the tournament’s youngest players are celebrating milestones off the field too—receiving their matric results. 

As SA20 entered its third season on Thursday, the league has solidified its reputation as a launchpad for emerging talent, with young players seizing their moment on cricket’s grand stage.

Among those making waves is 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka of MI Cape Town, whose two-wicket haul in the opening match has already caught the attention of fans and commentators alike. Maphaka made his test debut for the national side over the new year at Newlands in a 10-wicket victory against Pakistan.

​​Meanwhile, Paarl Royals’ 18-year-old standout Lhuan-dre Pretorius delivered a sensational performance in his SA20 debut on Thursday. The young batter, who also starred in the U19 World Cup last year, scored a breathtaking 97 in his debut innings. His efforts drew praise from teammates, opponents, and even international stars like England’s test captain Ben Stokes, who posted on social media: “One of the many things franchise cricket has done is give young players opportunities on the biggest stage. Lhuan-dre Pretorius is doing that right now.”

Proteas captain Aiden Markram echoed the sentiment, saying, “He’s special… and I think he’s going to grow into an even better player.”

For players like Maphaka and Pretorius, this week is not just about excelling on the field—both are also marking the milestone of receiving their matric results

The SA20 has quickly established itself as a breeding ground for talent, and this year’s roster of young players is already turning heads. The SA20 league’s commitment to nurturing young talent is evident in its structures. The rookie draft, introduced last season, has already borne fruit, with five of the six rookies retained for this season. 

Additionally, the Rising Star Award continues to spotlight under-25 players who deliver exceptional performances. Past winners include Pretoria Capitals’ Ethan Bosch and Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s Marco Jansen, with strong contenders this year including MI Cape Town’s 21-year-old Dewald Brevis and Durban’s Super Giants’ Bryce Parsons, who smashed 47 runs in his debut innings for Durban’s Super Giants.

23-year-old Brevis, often tipped as South Africa’s next cricket sensation, opened the season with a commanding 57-run innings. SA20 ambassador and cricket legend  AB de Villiers praised Brevis, saying, “This is his season to shine.”

The SA20 isn’t just about local stars—it’s also drawing international talent and attention. Veteran players like Dinesh Karthik, the first Indian cricketer to play in the SA20, are impressed by the league’s role in bridging experience and youth.

Speaking at a Paarl Royals press conference, Karthik said, “Kwena is one of those bona fide superstars. Watching him grow from the U19 World Cup to this level is phenomenal.”

Proteas captain Aiden Markram also weighed in on the value of the SA20, calling it a “vital platform” for grooming future Proteas players. “These young stars are not just performing; they’re inspiring a generation of South Africans to dream big.”

With a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging prodigies, the SA20 is proving to be more than just a cricket tournament—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of South African cricket stars.

So, while today’s matric results signal the end of one chapter for South Africa’s youth, the SA20 is just the beginning for a new wave of cricketing talent ready to take on the world.