He attends St. Stithians College with the graduating class of 2024. He played for the South African team in the Under-19 World Cup, where he took 3 wickets for 32 runs in 10 overs in the semi-final against India. He made his debut with the Mumbai Indians in the 2024 IPL.

At 18 years and 137 days, he became the youngest South African to make his debut in men's international cricket while still attending school at St. Stithians College in Johannesburg.

Under-19 Career

As a 15-year-old, Maphaka was included in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup in the West Indies in January and February 2022. He played three of South Africa's six matches, taking seven wickets at an average of 18.28 and an economy rate of 5.56.

In December 2023, he was named in the South Africa Under-19 squad for the 2024 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. In the first match against West Indies, he took five wickets, for which he was named the Player of the Match. Maphaka shone for South Africa in the Super Six phase, taking five and six wickets against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka respectively. He took a record three five-wicket hauls in the tournament, the highest number of any player in a single Under-19 World Cup tournament. He then took three wickets in the semi-final against India, but lost. Maphaka finished his season with 21 wickets (the second most in a single tournament) and an average of 9.71. Adding his 7 wickets in the 2022 edition, his total wickets at U19 Men's Cricket World Cups are 28, putting him level with Zimbabwe's Wesley Madhevere for most wickets overall.

Domestic Career

Maphaka made his List A debut on 6 October 2023 during Division 2 of the 2023 CSA One-Day Cup. He played for the South Africa Emerging Players against Limpopo and took 3 wickets to help his side to victory. South Africa Emerging won the Division 2 final against Free State Knights. Maphaka had a rough day as he conceded 65 runs without taking a wicket.

In August 2023, Maphaka was signed by Paarl Royals for the 2024 SA20 season. He missed the tournament to participate in the Under-19 World Championship which was being held at the same time but was retained by Paarl Royals for the 2025 SA20.

Kwena joined his brother Tetelo in the Lions' squad in South Africa's Division 1, making his debut against Boland in the CSA T20 Challenge competition in March 2024.

In March 2024, he was named in the Mumbai Indians' squad for the 2024 Indian Premier League as a replacement for the injured Dilshan Madushanka. He played two matches and became the youngest South African – and third youngest foreign player overall – to take part in the IPL.

International Career

In June 2023, South Africa A toured Sri Lanka for two first-class and three List A matches. Maphaka was not named in the initial squad, but then replaced the injured Lutho Sipamla. Soon after, he made his first-class debut at the age of 17 on 12 June 2023 in the first unofficial Test match. He took 2 wickets in the first innings and scalped the wicket of Sri Lanka A's captain in the second innings.

Maphaka was named in the South African squad for the T20i leg of their tour of the West Indies in August 2024. He made his T20i debut on 23 August 2024 after Lungi Ngidi was ruled out of the series due to injury. At just 18 years and 137 days, he became the youngest South African man to play international cricket, taking match figures of 1/25 in 3.5 overs, with West Indian captain Rovman Powell being his first international wicket. In December 2024, he was called up for the second Test against Sri Lanka as a replacement for Gerald Coetzee, who had sustained a groin injury, making it his first Test match.