Maphekgola Pootona

Maphekgola “Maps” Pootona is a very exciting young seam prospect from South African domestic cricket new boys, Limpopo. A right-handed lower order batsman, not known for giving the scorers too much hassle, its a different story for the batsmen around South Africa when he has the ball in his hand.

With no glittering youth career to speak of, Maps was around the Limpopo age groups and played Premier League Cricket locally for Mohodi CC. Prior to the Impala’s return to Provincial Cricket, he trialled regularly and off the back of some good performances in the trial games ahead of their first full season back in the big time, he was handed a debut in the 2023 T20 Provincial Challenge.

Picking up 3-35 against Northern Cape in October 2022 on T20 debut, a first class debut followed later that month, also against Northern Cape, picked up 3-55 in the first innings. His first 50-over appearance wouldn’t come until the start of summer 2023-24.

With limited gametime for the Impala’s generally, Maps made his mark in summer 2023-24, with 18 wickets in 4 games in red-ball cricket, he headed into the final 4-day game as the province’s leading wicket taker.

Seeking his first season in the UK in 2024, Maps will be an excellent pick up for any UK club seeking a strike new-ball bowler and brings a youthful exuberance with him on his first trip abroad.