Exclusive: Dewald Brevis Calls Test Debut ‘Special’ and Test Cricket the ‘Pinnacle’

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, Proteas young batting prodigy, Dewald Brevis, reflects on what was a special Test debut at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Receiving the Baggy Green

For any youngster coming up in the pipeline, donning the Proteas Test baggy green is a dream that fuels their ambitions.

For the 22-year-old batting prodigy Brevis, that dream became a reality in Bulawayo last month as the explosive batter played his debut Test.

He went on to score an attacking half-century in his very first Test innings as he made light work of the Blessing Muzarabani Zimbabwe bowling attack.

He was fearless in his shot selection and execution, accessing every corner of the field at will as though he were not on debut.

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, the day after the Proteas sealed a 2-0 series win over Zimbabwe, Brevis opened up for the first time about his Test debut.

"I must say it was very special. Obviously, the half century on debut was really special. But for me, to win a series like my first series that I'm a part of, well, in the playing 11, I was a part of the squad in Bangladesh, we won there as well. So that was special," Brevis told SportsBoom.co.za.

"But to play and to be a part of this series, especially in your first Test series, it's special, I wouldn't have wanted anything else. The team played very well, it was a fun few days, and I really enjoyed every moment out there. I just realised how special this format is to play, and it is the pinnacle."

"My special moment would have been when I received the baggie. It's still here next to me on my desk in my room. So I look at it every now and then. But it's special. It's a dream come true. And I'm glad to be a part of it and can't wait for what the future holds."

"I think definitely I always knew and I've always had the ambition to play Test cricket. It's always been very close to my heart and something that I want. What I want to do is play Test cricket. So I think it will always remain very special for me."

Lessons to take forward

The youngster's half century on debut in the first Test would be the only time he went past the 50-run mark in the two-match series as the Zimbabwe bowling attack got the better of him.

With that in mind, Brevis embraces that he still has a lot to learn and is motivated to keep honing his red ball skills with the hopes of breaking into the full-strength Proteas Test team.

"I think it's very important to always know that there's always room to improve. You always learn, no matter how old you are, how long you've played. That's the beauty of cricket and this game: you can always get better. That's what I always strive for. So I've learned a lot in this. The key thing for me is I really enjoyed it," said Brevis.

"For me, the main thing is I want to just be the original Dewald that plays, and sometimes you need a tiny bit of patience in order to really succeed in your own way."

"I know every time I've been out there, maybe there's a few small little errors, but I've played how I need to play and how I want to play, but I can, and I know I'll only become better the more I play and the more you have a feel for it.  But it was very special and I really enjoyed every moment."