The boy can play, says AB de Villiers after Dewald Brevis smashes new Proteas record

Proteas legend AB de Villiers has led the plaudits after Dewald Brevis blasted the highest score by a South African in T20 internationals in Darwin on Tuesday.

Brevis struck an unbeaten 125 of 56 balls (12x4, 8x6) passing former Proteas’ captain Faf du Plessis’s 119 not out against the West Indies at the Wanderers in 2015.

It was a night of records for the 22-year-old as his 41-ball century was also the second fastest by a South African - just six balls shy of David Miller’s 35-ball century scored against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom back in 2017.

The right-hander was in a belligerent mood at the Marrara Stadium. His first 50 came off 25 balls (2 x 4, 5 x 6) before blitzing to three figures of just a further 16 balls. 

De Villiers, who has Brevis’ long-time mentor, was full of praise for the prodigy.

“There was such a golden opportunity for IPL teams to pick up Dewald Brevis at the auction! Missed out badly. CSK either got very lucky, or maybe the biggest master stroke ever👏 The boy can play @BrevisDewald,” De Villiers posted on X.

He took 30 runs off Glenn Maxwell’s eight deliveries.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa conceded 26 off 13 balls, while Stuart Abbott was taken for 22 off 13 and Ben Dwarshuis for a further 21 off 13 balls too.

Brevis shared a 126-run partnership off just 57 balls with Tristan Stubbs (31) to lift the Proteas up to 218/7.

Australia will need 219 to win and seal the series 2-0.