Amajita bounce back at U-20 Afcon with win against Tanzania
Coach Raymond Mdaka's U-20s started with a 1-0 loss against hosts Egypt in Cairo on Sunday.
Cape Town City attacker Shakeel April scored the 27th-minute winner that separated the teams.
The result left South Africa in second place in the five-team Group A, with Egypt set to meet Sierra Leone in a later game on Wednesday night.
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TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Back in Proteas, Brevis savours dream of playing Australia after silencing the noise
Cricket After some years of struggle, 22-year-old batter starting to live up to 'Baby AB' nickname again By Exciting young South African batter Dewald Brevis has silenced internal doubts and returned to form, shining in domestic and international cricket. Inspired by AB de Villiers — which, along with his batting style, has resulted in the nickname 'Baby AB' — he is now set to face Australia in the Proteas' series down under, eager to make his mark on the rivalry he grew up watching. South Africa play their first T20I of the series at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Sunday (11.15am SA time). Brevis was considered the next big thing in South African cricket when he was named Player of the Tournament in the 2022 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, scoring the most runs in a single edition of the junior competition. Later that year he massacred 162 off just 57 balls for the Titans in a T20 match against North West Dragons in Potchefstroom, the highest T20 score in South Africa and the world record for the fastest 150. He played in two T20 internationals against Australia in 2023 and a ticket to the biggest stage of them all, the IPL, was inevitable, but his meteoric rise lost momentum for the next few years. There is a reason why Dewald Brevis is rated so highly. This is just a small glimpse #SA20 — Werner (@Werries_) January 10, 2023 Last summer saw a new Brevis, seemingly relaxed and comfortable in his own skin, enjoying a number of stunning innings for the Titans, MI Cape Town and the Chennai Super Kings, who signed him as a late replacement. The flow of runs ensured his return to the Proteas and he made his Test debut in Zimbabwe in June, lashing a 41-ball half-century, then playing in the T20 tri-series with New Zealand. On the eve of his departure with the Proteas to Australia for six white-ball internationals, the 22-year-old said his slump occurred when he started to listen to too many advisers. 'The biggest change over the past year has been that I now know who I trust with my game and I've gone back to being the original Dewald Brevis,' he said. 'I was blessed with a talent and my natural self is who I want to be. That went away a bit because I tried to be too clever and I listened to so many different people. My only focus now is playing with a smile. 'It's very special to be back in the Proteas squad. When you first play, that environment is so amazing, but then when you go out of it, it feels like you've been removed from the inner circle and it's very tough. 🚨 Dewald Brevis is 💯 officially Superking round the world !!.. CSK-JSK-TSK✅ Hence, MI Franchise isn't posting anything about Brevis wherever he perform, it's constantly Superkings Franchises posting his the one vs Zimbabwe yesterday. — TheXReplier (@ReplySensei) July 15, 2025 'So I was very grateful just to play in Zimbabwe and be part of it again — there was a lot of emotion.' Now Brevis is in Australia for the first time and delighted to be taking on South Africa's arch-rivals and a team that loomed large in his days of watching cricket as a child. 'It's incredible. The Proteas are very close to my heart and I will never take it for granted playing for them. And a big part of when I was growing up was watching some famous games against Australia. 'They never back down and one of my best memories is of watching AB de Villiers at Centurion in 2014, with Mitchell Johnson hitting everyone but AB still scoring runs all over the place.' It is little wonder that the then 10-year-old Brevis was inspired because De Villiers top-scored for South Africa in both innings with 91 and 48, Johnson taking 12 wickets on a fast, bouncy pitch that was also up-and-down, to bowl Australia to a crushing 281-run win. Brevis confirmed De Villiers is still very much part of his inner circle. Born in Sandton, Johannesburg, but educated at Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool (Affies) in Pretoria, just like De Villiers, Brevis modelled his batting on the Proteas great. He did this so successfully that the likeness in his young days led to him being called 'Baby AB'. Brevis says the label was never a burden, but an honour. 'AB is my role-model and he is one of the people I fully trust. I spend a lot of time with him and being compared to him has never been a burden or brought any extra pressure. 'It has always been a big privilege to be called Baby AB. He is still my hero and to have him help me is a big honour. 'I still have my own identity and I know that will work out too.' De Villiers averaged 75.33 in ODIs in Australia and 44.73 in Tests and was hugely respected as a match-winner of class there. Brevis now has the chance to imprint himself in the minds of the great foe too.
The South African
01-08-2025
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs starlet draws local and European interest
Kaizer Chiefs' rising right-back Sfiso Timba has caught the eye of PSL club Sekhukhune United following his stellar displays for the DDC team and South Africa's U20 national side, Amajita. Timba, who recently impressed at trials with Belgian outfit RWD Molenbeek and also trained with the Amakhosi senior team, now finds himself at the centre of growing transfer interest. A reliable source close to Naturena revealed that Sekhukhune United have formally enquired about the 19-year-old. 'You know Chiefs were looking at promoting him this season, but it's believed that with the signing of Thabiso Monyane they have enough right backs at the moment and they are looking at him growing. And since it's believed that Sekhukhune United have enquired about him, then they could loan him there. It won't be a permanent move. No, it is expected to be a loan move. But, yes, the interest is there from Sekhukhune United,' said the source. While Chiefs considered elevating Timba to the senior team, Monyane's arrival has temporarily blocked that pathway. However, a loan deal to Sekhukhune could offer the young defender valuable top-flight experience. Meanwhile, the door to Europe remains open. Timba left a strong impression during his stint at RWD Molenbeek, and the Belgian club reportedly still monitors his progress. 'They were happy when he was there. They even made a follow-up on him, and the chances are that he could still go there. But, for now, the club has to deal with the local interest first and take it from there.' Timba's stock has surged since helping coach Raymond Mdaka's Amajita squad clinch the U20 AFCON title. Securing a coveted spot at the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup. His leadership and composure at the back have positioned him as one of the brightest young talents in South African football. As local and international clubs line up for his signature. Kaizer Chiefs face a crucial decision on how best to nurture one of their most promising academy graduates. Should Kaizer Chiefs release another youngster? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
31-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Fifa youth coach Thabo Senong on abundance of talent in SA
He says if players are exposed to quality coaching from an early age they will peak at about 17 and 18 years old and that will increase their chances of moving to clubs abroad early. As SA U-20 coach, Senong steered Amajita to two U-20 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and coached the team at the Fifa U-20 World Cup in Poland. He says there is an abundance of talent in South Africa that needs to be discovered. He emphasises the importance of young South African players moving overseas and some, such as Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates, going to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with Bafana Bafana in December and January. He urges players in coach Molefi Ntseki's local-based Bafana squad, most of whom are clubless, to take advantage of the opportunity to represent the country at the African Nations Championship co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in August.
