Dewald Brevis blazes on debut as South Africa find spark against Zimbabwe

Bulawayo: Dewald Brevis announced his arrival in Test cricket in style, smashing a blistering half-century on debut to turn South Africa’s fortunes in Bulawayo. The 22-year-old, known for his white-ball explosiveness, translated his flair into the red-ball arena with a stunning counter-attack on Zimbabwe on the first day of the first Test at Queens Sports Club.

Coming in at number six after a top-order collapse, Brevis lit up the stage with a rapid 50, reached in just 38 balls, making it the fastest half-century by a South African Test debutant. He brought up the milestone with back-to-back sixes off Zimbabwean spinner Vincent Masekesa, as he swung momentum back in the Proteas’ favour.

Earlier, Zimbabwe seized control of the match with an inspired opening spell by Tanaka Chivanga, who removed Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, and David Bedingham in quick succession. But Brevis, alongside fellow debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius, mounted a gritty fightback. The pair stitched together a crucial partnership, both notching their maiden Test fifties under pressure. Pretorius went on to score an unbeaten century.

Brevis’ journey to this point has been anything but smooth. After topping the run charts at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, he was fast-tracked into South Africa’s T20I squad in 2023. But two low scores against Australia saw him dropped and out of the international frame — until now.

 “That moment being there, and then being left out, that was tough,” Brevis admitted. “But I was young. I put in the work, and I kept believing.”

Over the past two seasons, Brevis rebuilt through domestic cricket, averaging over 44 in first-class matches and scoring four centuries. All the while, he continued excelling in white-ball formats—smashing 162 in a T20 game, starring in the SA20, the IPL, and securing a T20 Blast deal with Hampshire.

 “I just want to be the same player across formats,” he said. “To bat longer, you take it ball by ball — but stay true to who you are.”

Brevis is one of three debutants for South Africa in this Test, alongside 19-year-old Pretorius and 27-year-old Codi Yusuf, a late-blooming pacer. For Brevis, Yusuf, and Pretorius, their debuts mark fresh beginnings—and perhaps, a glimpse into South Africa’s cricketing future.