Grown up Brevis targets Proteas return through better domestic performance

Dewald Brevis wants to divorce himself from the player he has been compared with his whole life.

“It’s interesting... 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. I’m always in competition with myself. I want to be Dewald Brevis,” he says. 

He wants to be the best version of himself, to take greater ownership of his career, and in so doing, forge a life in cricket in which he is free from the moniker that has been attached to him since his first burst into the spotlight.

So no more “Baby AB” please. “It’s your own career, you must just be yourself, and enjoy every moment of it,” says Brevis. 

As the 2024/25 season beckons, Brevis is taking very deliberate steps to vacate his “boy wonder” phase and set goals for himself, both small and universal. “I know exactly what I want. 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.”

Brevis’ career has followed a path that, in an old-fashioned sense, is unconventional. He was famous before he’d even played a senior professional match. His record-breaking feats at the 2022 U19 World Cup saw him earmarked for an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract before he’d even played a match for his province, Northerns Titans. 

Still only 21, Brevis has already played in the IPL, Major League Cricket, the Caribbean Premier League, and has been the face of the SA20. However, in those big events, his performances have been sporadic. He’s got two half-centuries in 18 innings in the SA20, a highest score of 46 in only three matches for the Mumbai Indians and has played nine matches across two seasons of the MLC, and made two fifties.    

I want to get into all the Proteas squads, to be an all-format player, I want to be noticed as an all-rounder, not just a batter

—  Dewald Brevis

Brevis doesn’t believe his development has been hampered by playing so many T20 matches in his career — 66. His combined total across the other two formats is only 29 games.  “There will always be a lot said, but at the end of the day, you have to be consistent.

“I’m honoured to be a part of the biggest family in the cricket world, the Mumbai Indians. In the IPL, SA20, MI New York, there is a lot of spotlight, but what can you do about that?”

There is less attention on the domestic front, and that is where Brevis has been more consistent.  He was named One-Day Player of the Year after scoring 372 runs for the Titans at an average of 53.14 in the One-Day Cup last summer. He also scored 447 runs in the Four-Day competition, averaging 40.63, making four centuries across those two competitions. 

Because he’s been judged almost solely on what he does in T20 Leagues, many think Brevis is underperforming when in fact his graph is in keeping with someone who is fulfilling his potential.  “I’ve had a good season but that’s in the past. I really enjoyed all of it, especially the red ball stuff.”

Brevis remains committed to the Titans, despite the glamour of the franchise leagues. “I’m a ‘Pretorianer’, born and bred. You look at the guys who have played here; Albie Morkel, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, there is a legacy here that I want to add my name to.”

The domestic season officially starts on Friday, with the Titans taking on the defending champions, the Lions, in the T20 Challenge at the Wanderers. 

With Proteas caps being liberally dished out, as particularly limited overs coach Rob Walter tries to build depth ahead of the 2027 World Cup, Brevis is aware the 2024/25 season needs to be a launchpad for his international aspirations. “I want to get into all the Proteas squads, to be an all-format player,” he 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. 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.”