Proteas coach questions Dewald Brevis’ suitability for South African conditions, labels CSK star a ‘Rafael Nadal’ in Tests originally appeared on Cricket News.
Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Shukri Conrad said Dewald Brevis is not one of South Africa‘s best Test batters for home conditions.
- He compared Brevis to tennis legend Rafael Nadal, calling him a “clay court specialist” in Tests.
- Brevis has played four Tests and is not in the preliminary squad for the Australia series.
Dewald Brevis’ suitability for Tests in South Africa is questioned by Shukri Conrad
Dewald Brevis has made his name in white-ball cricket, but South Africa’s Test coach does not see him as a red-ball answer at home just yet. Shukri Conrad left the 23-year-old out of the preliminary squad for the Australia series and explained why with a memorable tennis comparison.
South Africa named an 18-man squad on Monday for the first of three Tests against Australia, starting October 9. Kagiso Rabada is included as he works towards match fitness, and Anrich Nortje is in line for a Test return. Uncapped batter Marques Ackerman has also been picked, but Brevis has missed out.
Conrad said Brevis will feature at some stage of a long summer, but he was blunt about where the batter stands in the Test pecking order. His comments centre on conditions, not talent. In Conrad’s view, South African pitches suit other batters more than the CSK star.
MORE: New Pakistan coaches: PCB set to approach Tait and Guptill for key coaching roles
What did Shukri Conrad say about Dewald Brevis and Test cricket?
Conrad spoke to reporters after the squad was announced. He first made clear that Brevis will get another chance. “It’s a long summer, so I am sure we will see [Brevis] at some stage,” he said. Then he explained why the batter was left out of the Australia squad.
“The blunt answer is that I don’t think he is one of the best batters in Test cricket for us,” Conrad said. “I think there are other guys for us in South African conditions. Brevis is probably more suited to us playing in Test cricket in the subcontinent.”
Conrad on Brevis in Tests
“I don’t think he is one of the best batters in Test cricket for us
There are other guys in the squad for SA conditions
He is probably more suited to subcontinent conditions
Enjoying this article? Support our work with a small crypto donation.In Test cricket he is a bit like our Rafael Nadal, a clay court specialist” pic.twitter.com/FqcUlRdvaw
— Werner (@Werries_) September 28, 2026
Then came the line that gave the story its headline. “In Test cricket, he is a bit like our Rafael Nadal, a clay court specialist,” Conrad said. The analogy is easy to follow. Nadal was unmatched on clay, and Conrad is suggesting Brevis suits subcontinent surfaces far better than South African ones.
Dewald Brevis’ Test record
Brevis has played four Tests, all in 2025. He has made 138 runs at an average of 23.00, with a best of 54 and two half-centuries. He debuted in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe in June, scoring a quickfire 51, and his last Test came against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in October.
Conrad acknowledged that Brevis has shown flashes. “We saw a glimpse of Dewald against Pakistan last year,” he said. Brevis made 54 runs in three innings in that series. He travelled with the squad that won in India but did not play a Test there.
The white-ball form is not in doubt. Brevis holds South Africa’s highest T20I score, 125 not out against Australia, and joined Chennai Super Kings as a replacement player in 2025. The gap between those white-ball numbers and his Test record is what Conrad’s comments seem to point to.
To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
