Dewald Brevis’ blistering 41-ball century has been the focal point of South Africa’s highest-ever T20I score against Australia in the second BKT Tyres T20 in Darwin.
The Proteas posted a mammoth 7-218 on the back of a breakthrough international innings from the 22-year-old Brevis, who finished with 125no from 56 balls.
Nicknamed ‘Baby AB’ in reference to South Africa legend and his hero AB de Villiers, much has been expected of Brevis since his IPL debut as an 18-year-old in 2022.
And on a warm, tropical Tuesday night in the Northern Territory Brevis delivered on his promise with a memorable innings that saw him hit the highest score by a South African in the format and become the youngest from his country to reach three figures.
Although he started with 14 runs from his first 12 balls, a straight six off Adam Zampa opened the floodgates for the right-hander.
What followed was a T20 masterclass in straight, clean hitting. Early he was brutal against the spinners and late he dominated the quicks.
Fastest men’s T20I centuries for South Africa
David Miller, 35 balls v Bangladesh 2017
Dewald Brevis, 41 balls v Australia 2025
Quinton de Kock, 43 balls v WI 2023
Richard Levi, 45 balls v NZ 2012
After depositing Glenn Maxwell for two sixes in a row in the 12th over, a rare miscue offered a chance to substitute fielder Matt Kuhnemann, on the field for Tim David, on the long on boundary.
But Kuhnemann horribly misjudged the ball’s path and parried the ball into the rope for another boundary, giving Brevis a life on 56.
As Brevis walked off unbeaten to big applause from the boisterous Darwin crowd, Maxwell ran across from long on to give the youngster a handshake and pat on the back.
Brevis shared a 126-run partnership with Tristan Stubbs (31 off 22), who was happy to play second fiddle as his junior partner went wild.
Highest men’s T20I scores in Australia
Dewald Brevis, 125no v Australia 2025
Shane Watson, 124no v India 2016
Glenn Maxwell, 120no v West Indies 2024
Rilee Rossouw, 109 v Bangladesh 2022
It was exactly what South Africa needed after losing their third wicket in the seventh over to fall to 3-57.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius came off second best in his duel with Maxwell after finding himself stranded down the pitch to the off-spinner.
Ben Dwarshuis was the only Australian bowler to finish with an economy rate under 10 on his way to 2-24 from four overs.
He took the opening wicket of the night, Ryan Rickelton caught misjudging a pull shot, and Rassie van der Dussen at the death, caught well by Sean Abbott on the boundary.
Australia XI: Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Cameron Green, Tim David, Mitch Owen, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi
BKT Tyres T20I Series – Australia v South Africa
August 10: First T20I v South Africa, Marrara Stadium, Darwin, 7pm AEST
August 12: Second T20I v South Africa, Marrara Stadium, Darwin, 7pm AEST
August 16: Third T20I v South Africa, Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 7pm AEST
BKT Tyres ODI Series – Australia v South Africa
August 19: First ODI v South Africa, Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 2:30pm AEST
August 22: Second ODI v South Africa, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 2:30pm AEST
August 24: Third ODI v South Africa, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 2:30pm AEST
Australia T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
South Africa T20 squad: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Rassie van der Dussen
South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen
