Dewald Brevis needed only 32 balls to rip the Tri-Series wide open.
With South Africa under scrutiny after a flat defeat to Namibia 24 hours earlier and fielding a second-string squad in Windhoek, the 21-year-old walked in and turned a routine chase into a statement. He smashed an unbeaten 75, shredded Zimbabwe’s attack, and dragged a patched-up side to a seven-wicket win with a hefty 38 balls to spare.
This was supposed to be a test of South Africa’s depth. Brevis treated it like his own highlight reel.
Zimbabwe start fast, then stall
Put in to bat, Zimbabwe flew out of the blocks. Brian Bennett and Ben Curran took on the new ball and, for five overs, dictated the tempo.
Curran, busy and inventive, cracked 24 from just 12 deliveries. Bennett anchored the stand with 34 from 35, and at 45 without loss in the sixth over, Zimbabwe had the platform they wanted.
Then the screws tightened.
As they had against Namibia the previous day, South Africa’s spinners dragged the game back with discipline and subtle changes of pace. Prenelan Subrayen, all nagging lines and miserly length, returned 2-27 from his four overs. At the other end, Bjorn Fortuin matched him for control, conceding only 25 in his spell and picking up a key wicket.
Boundaries dried up. Risk crept in. The innings lost its shape.
Duan Jansen, raw and still feeling his way at this level in just his second international, leaked runs but kept coming. The tall left-armer went for 45 in his four overs, yet struck three times to break Zimbabwe’s middle order. The wickets mattered; they prevented any late surge and left Zimbabwe short of the total they had threatened early on.
From 45 without loss, Zimbabwe limped to 144 for eight. Competitive on some days. Not against what came next.
Brevis detonates the chase
South Africa’s reply never looked like a scrap.
Chasing 145, they started solidly and then watched Brevis detonate the equation. Once he found his range, the contest flipped from measured pursuit to outright demolition.
He cleared the field with ease, picked gaps at will, and refused to let Zimbabwe’s bowlers settle. The numbers told the story: 75 not out from 32 balls, an innings that turned a potentially tricky chase into a procession. South Africa cruised to 146 for three, barely breaking stride.
For a squad missing most of its regulars, this was the response the management wanted. The defeat to Namibia on Friday had exposed rust and inexperience. Less than 24 hours later, the same dressing room produced a ruthless chase that underlined the talent waiting in the wings.
Series poised in Windhoek
The win levels South Africa’s mood if not the table, and it sharpens the focus on the next clash.
Namibia, the hosts who stunned South Africa in the opener, now face Zimbabwe at the same Windhoek venue on Monday. Zimbabwe must regroup quickly after letting a promising start slip with the bat and then being blown away by Brevis.
Namibia, watching closely, know exactly what awaits if Brevis walks out in this kind of mood again.
