Match Snapshot (Darwin, August 12, 2025):
South Africa 218/7 (20 overs) beat Australia 165 all out (17.4 overs) by 53 runs to level the South Africa vs Australia T20 series 1-1. Dewald Brevis scored 125 not out off 56 balls, the highest T20I score by a South African, hitting 12 fours and 8 sixes.
Why This Was a T20I Record Innings
- National record: Brevis’ 125* broke the previous highest T20I score by a South African.
- Fast scoring: Century reached in just 41 balls, one of the quickest in the team’s history.
- Youngest to do it: At his age, no South African had ever produced such a T20I knock.
- Strike rate and power: Maintained a strike rate above 223, with boundaries flowing consistently.
Match Context Before the Innings
Australia were on a nine-match T20I winning streak and had already taken a 1–0 lead in the series. South Africa needed a statement performance to keep the series alive. This innings not only did that but also put the opposition under immediate pressure.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Innings
Powerplay (Overs 1–6)
- Controlled aggression with clean drives and pulls.
- Focused on timing rather than wild swings, ensuring a strong base.
Middle Overs (Overs 7–12)
- Increased tempo by picking gaps early.
- Targeted bowlers who missed their lengths, pushing the run rate higher.
Acceleration Phase (Hundred in 41 Balls)
- Took full advantage of loose deliveries.
- Rotated strike smartly when boundaries weren’t possible to keep momentum.
Death Overs (Overs 16–20)
- Attacked straight and through mid-wicket.
- Finished unbeaten, ensuring South Africa reached their highest T20I total against Australia.
Support and Partnerships
The middle order kept feeding Brevis the strike, recognising his form. This support allowed him to face maximum deliveries and dictate the pace of the innings.
How South Africa Won* Corbin Bosch 3/20, Kwena Maphaka 3/57.
- Hard lengths and pace changes disrupted the chase.
- Tim David’s 50 was the only resistance before the batting order collapsed.
Talking Points
- Brevis smashed back-of-a-length deliveries without pace variation.
- Australia’s wide-yorker plan failed when they executed poorly.
- South Africa’s blueprint—hard lengths with variation—controlled the middle overs.
Stats at a Glance
- Dewald Brevis: 125* (56 balls), 12 fours, 8 sixes, 223+ SR.
- Team totals: South Africa 218/7; Australia 165 all out.
- Series: 1–1 with one to play.
Final Word
Dewald Brevis changed the game with a record-breaking innings. His 125 not out off 56 balls was a lesson in controlled aggression. One innings can change the outcome of a T20I.
