AB de Villiers changed the way we saw batting. He didn’t just score runs; he redefined what was possible with a bat in hand. Bowlers feared him, fielders guessed in vain where the ball would go, and fans lived for the outrageous shots that seemed to defy cricketing logic. He was fearless, inventive, and unstoppable during the playing days of his cricketing venture.
Since his retirement, South Africa has searched for someone who could bring that same audacity to the crease. Then came Dewald Brevis, dubbed “Baby AB” for years, not just because of his stroke-making but because of the same fearless intent. His batting style reminded the fans of AB de Villiers.
Dewald Brevis scores a scintillating century against Australia in 2nd T20I
We have seen glimpses of his potential before, but in Darwin on Tuesday, Brevis transformed from a promising youngster to a genuine superstar. In the second T20I against Australia at the Marrara Cricket Ground, he unleashed carnage with a blistering 125 off 56 balls. In the process, he brought up his century in just 41 deliveries, the fastest ever against Australia in T20Is.
It was a must-win game for South Africa after losing the opener by 17 runs a couple of days earlier, and Brevis answered the call in stunning fashion. The Aussies had no answers. Every time they adjusted, he found another gear before he made his way into the history books.
List of records broken by Dewald Brevis
Dewald Brevis broke Martin Guptill’s record for the fastest T20I ton against Australia (previously 49 balls).
He became the first player to score a hundred in a T20I between South Africa and Australia.
He surpassed Quinton de Kock’s 43-ball effort to claim the second-fastest T20I century for South Africa, behind only David Miller’s 35-ball blitz in 2017.
He set the highest individual T20I score by a South African, eclipsing every Protea before him.
AB de Villiers heaps praise on Dewald Brevis
When you break records like that, AB de Villiers is bound to take notice. And take notice he did. Soon after Brevis reached his century, ABD took to X with high praise and a cheeky IPL remark:
There was such a golden opportunity for IPL teams to pick up Dewald Brevis at the auction! Missed out badly. CSK either got very lucky, or maybe the biggest master stroke ever👏 The boy can play @BrevisDewald
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 12, 2025
“There was such a golden opportunity for IPL teams to pick up Dewald Brevis at the auction! Missed out badly. CSK either got very lucky, or maybe the biggest master stroke ever. The boy can play @BrevisDewald.”
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From a man who has played some of the greatest knocks in T20 history, that is no small compliment. Talking about the game, South Africa posted 218/7 in their quota of 20 overs. In reply, Aussies failed to chase down the target as they ended up at 165.
South African bowlers, namely Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka took three wickets apiece. The Proteas won by 53 runs to level the series. The third and final game will kick off at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns, on August 16, Saturday.
CSK pulled off a masterstroke signing
Here is where the story gets even sweeter for Chennai Super Kings. Brevis actually went unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction. But when CSK lost Gurjapneet Singh to injury, they moved fast and picked up the 22-year-old as a replacement.
What followed was a steal of epic proportions. In just six matches, Brevis hammered 225 runs at a strike rate of 180, with two fifties to his name. He showed composure, clean hitting, and the ability to change games in a matter of overs.
And now, after this Darwin demolition job, it’s safe to say CSK will guard him like a crown jewel. With AB de Villiers calling it “the biggest masterstroke ever,” the Chennai camp must be grinning from ear to ear.