Dewald Brevis To Debut? South Africa's Probable XI For 1st ODI vs Australia

Abhinav Tyagi

Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs Batting Together - (Source: AFP)Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs Batting Together - (Source: AFP)

After a heartbreaking defeat for the Proteas in the third T20I, the caravan has now moved to the fifty-over format. The hosts, Australia, will square off against South Africa in the first ODI at the Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, a venue which hosted the recently concluded T20I.

For the ODIs, Temba Bavuma returns as the captain, while a few other superstars such as Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi return to the side. Ahead of the crucial first game, this article will shed light on South Africa's probable XI. 

Bavuma To Open, Markram Take Charge In Middle-Order

Temba Bavuma is back in the squad and will lead the Proteas in all three ODIs against Australia. Bavuma is most likely to open the innings alongside Ryan Rickelton. There is also a possibility of Bavuma in the middle-order and Aiden Markram opening. However, the Proteas went ahead with Temba-Rickelton as the opening pair during Champions Trophy 2025.

Notably, the upcoming ODI will be Proteas' first since Champions Trophy and it is likely that they would not want to disturb that batting order.

Further, Matthew Breetzke is suitable to replace Rassie Van der Dussen at No.3. For the unversed, Breetzke wreaked havoc during South Africa's tri-series in Pakistan, where he scored a 150 on his debut. He will also keep wickets in Heinrich Klaasen's absence. Meanwhile, Markram will take the charge at No.4 for South Africa.

Debut Loading For Dewald Brevis

The upcoming series is most likely to be a debut game for Dewald Brevis, where the 22-year-old will play his first match in the fifty-over format. The right-handed batter impressed the critics with his heroics during T20I series, amassing a brilliant 190 runs in just three matches, including a century and a fifty.

Meanwhile, Bavuma too hinted at this move. " It's always exciting when you see the young faces. Obviously the big talk has been on Brevis, (he's been) putting up his hand and showing what he is capable of. (I'm) excited to see what he can also bring within the one-day stuff, " Bavuma said speaking to ICC.

Klaasen, Miller-less Middle-Order

South Africa are undergoing a transition as they will play their first ODI since Heinrich Klaasen announced his retirement from international cricket. Further, the proteas are also without their star player David Miller and have void in the middle-order. 

However, Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs, two of South Africa's young talents will fill that vaccum and try to cement their place in the fifty-over format. 

Maphaka A Late Addition To The ODI Squad

On the eve of the first ODI against Australia, Temba Bavuma revealed that Kwena Maphaka, who picked up nine wickets in the T20I series, has been called-up to the ODI squad. Thus, the left-arm seamer is most likely to form a formidable trio alongside Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi.

Further, Keshav Maharaj is expected to don the role of the spinner and add a few valuable runs with the bat towards the end. 

South Africa's Probable Playing XI

Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (C), Matthew Breetzke (WK), Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka