South African rising star Dewald Brevis has set his sights on breaking into the Proteas squads across all formats, aiming to elevate himself to the level of “the best cricketer that has ever lived.” While the 21-year-old has already showcased flashes of his potential, Brevis acknowledges there’s still work to be done.
Brevis, a former standout for the South Africa U19 team, made his senior Proteas debut in a T20I series against Australia in August 2023. However, with scores of five and nought in that series, he hasn’t worn the green and gold since. But this brief setback hasn’t deterred his determination to return and prove himself, he said in an interview with The Sunday Times.
Domestic Success and Franchise Cricket Struggles
While Brevis hasn’t yet lived up to his reputation in the cutthroat world of T20 franchise cricket, his domestic form paints a more promising picture. The 2023-24 season saw him excel with the Titans, scoring 372 runs in the One-Day Cup at an impressive average of 53.14, which earned him the title of Domestic One-Day Player of the Year. Additionally, his performances in the 4-Day Domestic Series were equally noteworthy, with 447 runs at an average of 40.63.
Despite these domestic successes, Brevis still seeks to prove his versatility and consistency at the international level. He recently spoke to the Sunday Times, outlining his aspirations for the upcoming season, which will begin with the T20 Challenge on Friday.
“I want to get into all the Proteas squads, to be an all-format player,” Brevis said. “I want to be noticed as an all-rounder, not just a batter. I hope in the new season I really get more opportunities with the ball.”
Brevis recently demonstrated his potential as an all-rounder, taking 4-46 with his leg-spin for South Africa A in a one-day match against Sri Lanka A earlier this month.
High Ambitions and Self-Confidence
Brevis is confident in his abilities but remains grounded in his pursuit of greatness. “I want to be the best Dewald Brevis, play with a smile, enjoy the game, and do my best. If I do that, put in the hard work, I know exactly what will happen,” he said.
Despite comparisons to South African legend AB de Villiers, often being referred to as “Baby AB,” Brevis is determined to carve out his own identity in cricket. “I’m always in competition with myself. I want to be Dewald Brevis.”
At such a young age, Brevis’s self-belief shines through. While he has faced the humbling experiences cricket often provides, he remains resolute in his pursuit of greatness. “I’m never happy or satisfied with my performance, I feel that’s dangerous. When you think you’ve ‘made it’ or you’ve achieved something great, the game will bring you back down to earth very quickly.”
Future Aspirations
Brevis’s confidence extends beyond the field. “I know exactly what I want,” he said. “I want to inspire people. I want to be the best cricketer that has ever lived. I will do whatever it takes to do that.”
As South Africa continues to nurture young talent under the leadership of Test coach Shukri Conrad, Brevis’s desire to excel across all formats aligns with Conrad’s philosophy of fast-tracking talent due to the Proteas’ limited Test schedule. Conrad has already debuted several young players, such as Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, and Gerald Coetzee, with the understanding that players must perform quickly in the pressure-cooker environment of international cricket.
With the Proteas set to host Sri Lanka and Pakistan in critical Test matches in the upcoming season, Brevis will be keen to push for selection in all formats. His ambition and performances in domestic cricket suggest he may soon find his way back into the national setup, and potentially, into the hearts of cricket fans as one of the best to ever play the game.
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