Dewald Brevis steps beyond the Baby AB label

Dewald Brevis has developed from an Under-19 sensation into one of South Africa’s most destructive batters.

Brevis first captured global attention at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean. He scored a tournament-record 506 runs in six innings, including two centuries and three half-centuries, to earn the Player of the Tournament award.

His strokeplay and ability to score around the wicket quickly drew comparisons with Proteas great AB de Villiers. Both attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria, while Brevis’ stance and range of shots strengthened the connection.

However, Brevis has gradually established an identity of his own.

Later in 2022, he struck 162 off 57 balls for the Titans against the Knights in Potchefstroom. The innings contained 13 fours and 13 sixes and remains the highest individual score in a T20 match played in South Africa.

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His rapid rise led to opportunities with the Mumbai Indians, MI Cape Town and MI New York. He has also represented St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Hampshire and Chennai Super Kings.

Brevis made his Proteas debut in a T20I against Australia in Durban in August 2023. His international career took time to gather momentum, but his breakthrough arrived two years later.

In August 2025, he hammered an unbeaten 125 off 56 balls against Australia in Darwin. It was the highest individual T20I score by a South African and made him the country’s youngest centurion in the format.

Brevis also entered the Test side in 2025, scoring 51 off 41 balls on debut against Zimbabwe. His attacking approach gave South Africa another middle-order option capable of changing a match quickly.

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He later represented the Proteas at the 2026 T20 World Cup, scoring 207 runs as South Africa reached the semi-finals. That campaign strengthened his place among the core players in the national white-ball setup.

Brevis enjoyed another productive SA20 season in 2026 after joining the Pretoria Capitals for a tournament-record R16.5-million. He scored 370 runs in 12 matches at an average of 41.11 and a strike rate of 156.12, including his first century in the competition.

His greatest strength is his ability to clear the boundary at ease. He is particularly dangerous against spin, using footwork and powerful hands to attack both sides of the wicket.

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Consistency remains the next step. Brevis has already produced innings few players can match, but converting more starts will determine how influential he becomes in the longer formats.

Still only 23, he has time to refine his game. The early comparisons brought pressure, but Brevis is no longer merely the youngster labelled “Baby AB”. He is building a career and reputation that belong entirely to him.

Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

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