He played for the South African team in the Under-19 World Cup, where in the semi-final he took 3 wickets for 32 runs in 10 overs against India.
At 18 years and 137 days old, he became the youngest South African to make his debut in men's international cricket, while still completing school at St Stithians College, Johannesburg.
[4] Maphaka shined for South Africa in the Super six stage, as he took five-wicket and six-wicket hauls against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka respectively.
[8] South Africa Emerging won the division 2 final against Free State Knights, Maphaka had a tough day as he conceded 65 runs without taking a wicket.
Kwena joined his brother Tetelo in the Lions squad in South Africa's Division 1 and in March 2024 he made his debut against Boland in the CSA T20 Challenge competition.
He claimed match figures of 1/25 in 3.5 overs, with the West Indian captain Rovman Powell becoming his first international wicket.
On 19 December 2024, he became the youngest ODI debutant for South Africa, picked up figures of 4/72 in a high-scoring contest against Pakistan.