Ahead of the India match on February 21 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, head coach of South Africa Shukri Conrad opened up about Dewald Brevis, who has been struggling with his form since the beginning of the T20 World Cup 2026. Should the management consider the batter on the bench for a crucial match with India?
During a press conference, Shukri Conrad explained why the young batter is with the team and what the team management is looking for from him in the tournament. In support of his comments, Conrad mentioned how the batter took off in the knockout phase of the SA20 2025-26 after sustaining a below-par performance in the initial stage.
Should South Africa consider to bench Dewald Brevis?
The national team coach clearly stated that Brevis is in the team and constantly in the playing eleven for his ability to create an impact from nowhere. The management has not picked him for long-standing knocks in every single game. He is there only to accumulate some runs with a fast pace.
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“Consistency is really not something we look for in T20 cricket. We’re watching for impact, and Dewald is that player. He can make an impact on the game singlehandedly,” the coach of South Africa said before their match with India for the Super 8 phase of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Conrad explains why the out of form batter is with the team
In support of the comments, the former South Africa opener mentioned Brevis’ stint with the Pretoria Capitals in SA20 2025-26. Capitals qualified for the final of the tournament, though they lost against Sunrisers Eastern Cape Town.
During the initial stage of the contest, the 22-year-old was in an off form. But he bounced back when the team went to play the knockout stage. In the final, the right-handed batter registered an outstanding century as well. Prince described Dewald Brevis as a big-occasion batter.
“So can other players. But the bigger the occasion, the more the real Dewald Brevis stands out. We saw that in the SA20. He had a lean period, and then in running into the knockout stages, he stood up,” the coach added.
Notable knocks by Dewald Brevis in SA20 2025-26 for Pretoria Capitals
Some stats will put some more light on the comments made by Prince. According to Cricbuzz, Brevis scored 141 runs in his first eight innings for Pretoria Capitals, and never more than 36 not out in a match. Then he made 53 off 47 in Pretoria’s last league game to help them beat Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers.
A few days later, during the qualifier against Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the middle-order batter smashed an unbeaten 75 off 38 and helped Pretoria Capitals to qualify for the final of the tournament.
