Lhuan-dre Pretorius impressed Paarl Royals mentor Kumar Sangakkara and England captain Ben Stokes with his fearlessness in his 97-run knock against Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Photo: Sportzpics
FROM the very first season, the SA20 has helped to accelerate South African talent, and boy did the youngsters respond well in the league’s opening week in the ongoing third season.
From Lhuan-dre Pretorius to Kwena Maphaka’s impressive performances, cricket writer Ongama Gcwabe highlights youngsters who took all the spotlight in the first week of the tournament...
Lhuan-dre Pretorius: 97 (off 51 balls)
Opening the batting for the Paarl Royals alongside former England captain Joe Root, Pretorius put his talent in full display at the sold-out Boland Park on Saturday, smashing a 51-ball 97 and combining for a 132-run stand with Root to help the Royals to a nine-wicket victory over Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
The left-handed batter was crisp and aggressive in his approach, putting established quicks Marco Jansen, Ottneil Baartman and Richard Gleeson to the sword.
The 18-year-old smashed 10 fours and six sixes in his knock as he impressed Royals mentor Kumar Sangakkara and England Test captain Ben Stokes with his raw talent and fearlessness.
Dewald Brevis: 57 (off 29 balls), brilliant catch on the boundary
Having been relatively quiet over the last few years, going unsold at the 2025 Indian Premier League auction as a result, Brevis made a statement of note in the SA20 opener in Gqeberha.
The 21-year-old scored a 29-ball 57 at St George’s Park, smashing two fours and six sixes in his thrilling knock for MI Cape Town against Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
However, what was more impressive about his innings was how the youngster absorbed the pressure and found a way to accelerate, having come in to bat with his team in trouble at 42/3 in the seventh over.
Brevis’ performance saw MI Cape Town post a competitive 174 against the defending champions, a total that saw his team register a 97-run bonus-point victory away from home.
On Saturday, during their encounter against Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers, the youngster pulled off another moment of brilliance, completing a skilful catch on the boundary to dismiss Faf du Plessis and again took all the spotlight.
Bryce Parsons: 47 (off 28 balls)
The former South Africa Under-19 captain opened his SA20 account for Durban’s Super Giants with a brilliant knock at the top of the order alongside Matthew Breetzke.
The pair put on 67 runs in the first powerplay against Pretoria Capitals, taking on experienced bowlers, including former New Zealand international James Neesham and England all-rounder Liam Livingstone with relative ease.
Parsons went on to score a sparkling 47 off only 28 deliveries, an innings that saw the 23-year-old strike five fours and two sixes to help Durban’s Super Giants register a thrilling two-run victory over Pretoria Capitals at Kingsmead.
Kwena Maphaka: 2/35
Having had an impressive start to his international career last year, turning out for South Africa across all three formats, Maphaka continued his impressive performances in Paarl on Saturday.
The 18-year-old was delivering the 145km/h thunderbolts he is widely known for as he returned figures of 2/35 for Paarl Royals against some of the world’s most destructive batters, including Tristan Stubbs and Aiden Markram, in the Sunrisers Eastern Cape team.
The 18-year-old displayed his skill as well, bowling all sorts of cutters and slower-balls as he helped Paarl Royals get their campaign off to a winning start. | Independent Media Sport