Lions need to bring their best if they want to contain the Titans' Dewald Brevis

It's no wonder that Mr 360 himself – AB de Villiers chose Titans batsman Dewald Brevis as ‘one to watch’ during the SA20 earlier this year. His last three performances with the Titans has certainly propped him up on the opposition's watch list as one of the most dangerous batsmen in the Pretoria-based side. 

The 21-year-old has not only shown his big hitting prowess in the short format T20, but in the current CSA 4-Day Series as well, making him a valuable asset in the eyes of the Proteas management. Brevis’ has scored 343 in his last three matches, over four innings, scoring two half-centuries and top scoring with 148. 

The young Titan was instrumental in aiding his team reaching the final of the 4-Day Series, where they will take on an in-form and defending champions, the Lions – who are unbeaten in the tournament this season. The Lions and Titans will battle for the top honour at the Wanderers from Thursday. 

Although the Titans finished teh regular season seven points behind the Lions in the standings, they were ahead on both batting and bowling averages, showing an aggressive approach. 

The Johannesburg-born Brevis, arguably, played a significant role in said aggressive batting, putting up match-winning performances game after game. Brevis knocked 80 from 57 balls against Boland in their recent draw, with a strike-rate of 140, the highest of both teams. 

In the match prior to that, against the North West Dragons, Brevis knocked a stellar 148 of 157 deliveries. 

In March, his first innings against the Western Province was a bit of a stinker, getting out on 16 from 34 balls. Nevertheless, he redeemed himself in the second innings with 99 from 110. No doubt the young man was disappointed falling one run shy of his ton, but again, Brevis batted with the highest-strike rate from both teams. 

It's no wonder Brevis get constantly compared to De Villiers – a Brevis Youtube highlight reel will only reinforce that notion. 

Brevis' star also only continues to rise, not only on the pitch. He is also quite the celebrity, having racked up over 600 000 followers on Instagram since he broke onto the scene as a teenager in 2022 during the Under-19 World Cup. In his first four matches, the then 18-year-old knocked three 50s and a century – painting himself in stark contrast from the rest of the rookies. 

At the start of the SA20 Season 3 in January, De Villiers touted Brevis as his favourite to win the rising star award. 

“I tip this guy to win this award. I have been saying good things about his cricket for a very long time now, and I do believe the SA20 season 3 is his season to perform,” De Villiers said.