It was a night to remember at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin as South Africa roared back into the T20I series against Australia, powered by the dazzling blade of Dewald Brevis. Cricket fans were treated to a spectacle on August 12, 2025, when the young South African batter notched a record-shattering unbeaten 125, etching his name into the annals of T20I history and leveling the three-match contest at 1-1. But how did the Proteas turn the tables on the Aussies, and what made Brevis’s innings so extraordinary? Let’s dive into the details of a match that won’t soon be forgotten.
The tale of the second T20I was, in many ways, the story of Dewald Brevis. At just 22 years and 105 days old, Brevis became the youngest South African ever to score a century in T20I cricket, surpassing Richard Levi’s previous mark. The right-hander’s knock was nothing short of breathtaking—he reached his century in just 41 balls, making it the second fastest by a South African in T20Is. Only David Miller, with his 35-ball blitz against Bangladesh in 2017, has done it quicker for the Proteas.
Records tumbled as Brevis unfurled his array of shots. His 125 not out is now the highest individual score by a South African in men’s T20Is, eclipsing Faf du Plessis’ 119 against the West Indies in 2015. But Brevis didn’t stop there. He also set a new benchmark for the highest T20I score against Australia, overtaking Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 123* set in 2023. As if rewriting the record books wasn’t enough, Brevis’s innings propelled South Africa to a mammoth total of 7-218—the nation’s highest ever against Australia in this format.
Yet, it could all have been so different. With the scoreboard reading 3-112, Australia’s Matt Kuhnemann put down a regulation catch when Brevis was on 56. That moment would haunt the hosts for the rest of the night. “A big impact of the game that dropped catch,” remarked Mark Waugh on Fox Cricket, and few could argue. Brevis made the Australians pay, adding another 69 runs to his tally and ensuring South Africa posted a daunting target.
Australia’s fielding woes didn’t end there. Earlier, Adam Zampa spilled a chance, but Lhuan-dre Pretorius failed to capitalize, falling for just 10 runs. It was a night where every mistake seemed to cost the home side dearly, and the pressure only mounted as the South African total grew ever larger.
For Australia, the chase was always going to be a tall order. They came into their innings with injury concerns hanging over Tim David, the big-hitting all-rounder who had been instrumental in their victory in the first T20I. David was clearly hampered, twice leaving the field during South Africa’s innings after landing awkwardly on his shoulder while trying to cut off a boundary. But when he strode to the crease at 2-29, hope flickered for the Aussies.
David survived a scare when he was dropped on 18 by Tristan Stubbs, but he pressed on, reaching his half-century in rapid time. The crowd sensed a momentum shift, but Kagiso Rabada had other ideas, dismissing David shortly after he crossed fifty. With David gone at 4-104 in the 10th over, Australia’s hopes began to fade.
Wickets continued to tumble as the South African bowlers applied relentless pressure. The Australians were eventually bowled out for 165 in the 18th over, with Lungi Ngidi sealing the deal by removing Sean Abbott for just one run. The Proteas’ 53-run victory was comprehensive, and the series now heads to a tantalizing decider in Cairns with everything to play for.
The aftermath of the match was dominated by talk of Dewald Brevis’s heroics. Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers, himself no stranger to T20 brilliance, was quick to heap praise on the young star, who has long been dubbed ‘Baby AB’ in age-group cricket. De Villiers expressed surprise that none of the IPL franchises had snapped up Brevis at the 2025 auction, given his obvious talent. As fate would have it, Brevis found a home mid-season with Chennai Super Kings, stepping in as a replacement for the injured Gurjapneet Singh. He made an instant impact, racking up 225 runs in six matches at a blistering strike rate of 180.00, with two fifties to his name.
Brevis’s journey to this historic night has been marked by perseverance and flair. His performances for CSK in the IPL, though coming during a difficult campaign for the team, showcased his ability to anchor an innings or accelerate when needed. An average of 37.50 in the world’s most competitive T20 league is no mean feat, and it’s clear the Proteas have unearthed a gem.
But for all the individual brilliance, cricket remains a team game, and South Africa’s collective effort shouldn’t be overlooked. The bowlers held their nerve, capitalizing on the scoreboard pressure created by Brevis’s knock. Australia, meanwhile, will rue their missed chances—not just Kuhnemann’s costly drop, but a fielding performance that lacked its usual sharpness. The injury to Tim David, who had been a match-winner just days earlier, only added to their woes.
As the series stands tied at 1-1, both sides will be desperate to clinch the decider in Cairns. For South Africa, the emergence of Brevis as a world-class T20I batter offers hope for the future and excitement for the present. For Australia, the challenge is clear: regroup, sharpen up in the field, and find a way to contain the Proteas’ new superstar.
One thing’s for certain—after a night like this, all eyes will be on the final showdown. Can Brevis deliver again, or will Australia bounce back? The answers will come soon enough, but for now, cricket fans are still buzzing from a performance for the ages.
