On August 12, 2025, at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin, Dewald Brevis, the 22-year-old South African batting prodigy, etched his name into cricketing folklore with a breathtaking performance against Australia in the second T20I. Dewald Brevis‘ unbeaten 125 off just 56 balls not only powered South Africa to a commanding 53-run victory, leveling the three-match series at 1-1, but also shattered a slew of records, cementing his reputation as one of cricket’s brightest young stars.
Brevis, often dubbed ‘Baby AB’ for his stylistic resemblance to AB de Villiers, walked in at No. 4 with South Africa reeling at 57/3. Undeterred by the early setbacks, he launched a ferocious assault on Australia’s bowling attack. His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, blending audacious strokeplay with impeccable timing.
Dewald Brevis reached his fifty in just 25 balls, but it was his acceleration thereafter that left spectators and opponents in awe. He raced to his maiden T20I century in a mere 41 balls, marking the fastest hundred against Australia in T20Is, surpassing Martin Guptill’s 49-ball effort. This blistering knock also stands as the second-fastest century for South Africa in the format, trailing only David Miller’s 35-ball ton from 2017.
Dewald Brevis’ onslaught decimates Australia
The 22-year-old’s 125* featured 12 fours and eight sixes, showcasing an extraordinary range of shots. Brevis was particularly ruthless against Australia’s spinners, plundering 30 runs off Glenn Maxwell’s eight deliveries and 26 off Adam Zampa’s 13. His dominance extended to the pace attack, with Josh Hazlewood conceding 26 runs in nine balls and Sean Abbott leaking 22 in 13. Brevis became only the second batter in T20I history, after Reeza Hendricks, to score 20 or more runs against five different bowlers in a single innings, underlining his ability to dominate across the board.
His record-breaking knock propelled South Africa to 218/7, their highest T20I total against Australia. Brevis found an able ally in Tristan Stubbs, with whom he forged a match-defining 126-run partnership for the fourth wicket. His 125* surpassed Faf du Plessis’ 119 from 2015, setting a new benchmark for the highest individual score by a South African in T20Is.
Additionally, Dewald Brevis eclipsed Shane Watson’s 124* from 2016 to claim the record for the highest T20I score on Australian soil. At 22 years and 105 days, he also became the youngest South African to score a T20I century, breaking Richard Levi’s record.
Brevis’ performance wasn’t just about numbers; it was a statement of intent. After a modest two runs in the series opener, his explosive response in Darwin silenced doubters and drew praise from cricketing greats, including AB de Villiers, who lauded his proteas “outrageous” talent. Brevis’ ability to dismantle a formidable Australian attack on their home turf signals a bright future for the Chennai Super Kings star, who continues to justify the hype surrounding his meteoric rise.
Also Read: AUS vs SA: Dewald Brevis’ Barnstorming Ton Floors Australia