South African youngster Matthew Breetzke has etched his name in the record books with a sensational knock on his ODI debut. In a tri-series match against New Zealand, Breetzke smashed 150 runs, becoming the only batter in history to score 150 on debut. Additionally, he became the fourth South African player to score a century on his ODI debut.

Breetzke single-handedly carried South Africa’s innings, scoring almost half of his team's total. His proficiency in playing shots square of the wicket was remarkable, and he executed cover drives, cut shots, and straight drives with precision. He reached his century in 128 balls and then accelerated, scoring the next 50 runs in just 20 deliveries, showcasing his explosive batting ability. His knock of 150 came off 138 balls, featuring 14 fours and five sixes.

South Africa posted a total of 304/6, with Breetzke and Wiaan Mulder playing crucial roles. The duo put together a 131-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Mulder contributed 54 runs in the latter part of the innings, ensuring South Africa crossed the 300-run mark. New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Matt Henry and the spinners, bowled well in patches, but they struggled against Breetzke’s aggressive onslaught in the final overs. Ben Lister, in particular, was put under pressure, conceding 34 runs in his last three overs.

Before his ODI debut, Breetzke had represented South Africa in one Test match and 10 T20Is. However, it was in the 50-over format that he truly announced himself on the international stage. His exceptional performances in domestic cricket for the Warriors and a strong showing in the SA20 league, where he averaged over 50 in the 2024 season, set the stage for his selection in the national team.

In the IPL 2025 auction, Lucknow Super Giants secured Breetzke’s services for INR 7.5 million. Cricketing legends AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis have praised his batting prowess, with many predicting that he could become one of the standout performers in the IPL. Even South Africa’s limited-overs captain Keshav Maharaj has drawn comparisons between Breetzke and Virat Kohli, a testament to his immense potential.

Will this young South African batter dominate international cricket in the years to come? Only time will tell, but his incredible debut performance suggests that he is destined for greatness.