Dewald Brevis has been left out of South Africa's Test team for the upcoming three-match home series against Australia, and head coach Sukhri Conrad has given an unusual reason for the Chennai Super Kings star’s absence. Conrad compared the young batter to tennis great Rafael Nadal and said Brevis is better suited to Test cricket in subcontinent conditions.
Brevis was part of South Africa’s squad that toured India but didn’t appear in either Test. The 22-year-old batsman was not picked up for the upcoming series against Australia, despite being in the touring party. So his absence has attracted attention, especially as he is one of South Africa’s promising young batsmen.
Conrad, who spoke on the day Cricket South Africa announced the team, said Brevis was not currently among the team’s best options for Test cricket in South African conditions. The coach said that the management sees other batters as better suited to the conditions expected during the home series.
Conrad also said Brevis could feature for South Africa during the long international season, particularly in limited-overs cricket. He made a distinction between Brevis’ prospects in ODI cricket and his current position in the Test setup.
Sukhri Conrad makes Nadal comparison
Conrad used Rafael Nadal as an analogy in explaining his decision. Brevis has been described as a bit like Nadal in Test cricket, and the young South African batter is more suited to certain conditions.
Conrad said Brevis could be viewed as a “clay-court specialist” in Test cricket, and that the batter would be able to play in the subcontinent. Brevis will get opportunities for South Africa at some point, but the decision in that regard was based on the team’s assessment of batting options in South African conditions.
The comparison was immediately evident since Nadal’s career was not limited to clay courts. The Spanish tennis legend built his reputation on clay and won a record 14 French Open titles but he also accomplished big on hard courts and grass.
Nadal won four US Open titles and two Australian Open titles on hard courts. He also won Wimbledon twice, including his signature 2008 final win over Roger Federer. So Nadal’s dominance on clay is in fact one of the defining characteristics of his career, and dismissing him simply as a clay-court specialist doesn’t do justice to his success across the field.
Brevis’ Test Record
Brevis has so far played four Test matches for South Africa and scored 168 runs at an average of around 23. His Test record includes two half-centuries but he has yet to prove himself as a regular member of the Proteas’ red-ball batting lineup.
His lack of Test cricket experience is key in the selection process. Brevis was in the team for the India tour but hasn't had a chance to play a Test match yet. The latest omission means he will have to wait for another chance to improve his game for the longest format.
He is still making his way in the limited-overs setup. Brevis was left out of South Africa’s ODI team for the series against Australia, although Conrad said the batter could fit in for the national side during the long summer.
Brevis will need to continue to develop his game and make a stronger case for selection in all formats. The young batter has attracted considerable attention through his performances in franchise cricket (especially with Chennai Super Kings) but international Test selection will be a matter of time and team management’s wishes.
Important Test series for both teams.
The upcoming Test series between South Africa and Australia is important in the 2027 World Test Championship cycle. Both teams are fighting for points in the race for the next WTC final.
South Africa and Australia also have recent history in the World Test Championship. The two teams met in the 2025 WTC final, so the upcoming series is another big one between two teams at the top level of Test cricket.
The home conditions will have an impact on South Africa’s selection decision-making processes and Conrad and the team management will pick a squad that they feel can best handle the challenge and be able to adapt to the situation in Australia.
For Brevis, the omission does not completely close the door on Test cricket. Conrad’s comments imply that South Africa still sees a role for the batter during the long international season, especially as the team moves between different conditions and formats.
The Nadal comparison has nevertheless added an interesting dimension to the discussion around Brevis’ selection. His Test record is relatively poor but the CSK star will have his chances to develop and show as a player that he can contribute in different conditions.
South Africa’s decision ultimately reflects its view on the batting options for home Test cricket at present. Brevis is now going to wait for another opportunity in the longest format, and the Proteas will be looking forward to a big series against Australia in which major World Test Championship points are at stake.
