Matthew Breetzke

Position: Batter

On November 3, 1998, Matthew Paul Breetzke was born in Port Elizabeth, which is now Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. He was raised in a loving home where his passion for cricket was nurtured from an early age. Kirk Breetzke, his father, was instrumental in fostering this interest. Matthew's journey to being a professional cricket player began when he was four years old and requested a red leather cricket ball. He attended Grey High School, where he matched his studies with rugby and cricket. He scored 154 for the Under-10s and 124 for the Under-14s against their local opponents early on, showcasing his prowess.

Matthew Breetzke

Rise Through Domestic Cricket

As Matthew represented Eastern Province, Warriors Cubs, and school-level teams, his cricket career advanced through age groups. Because of his abilities, he was selected for the South African team at the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he was one of his nation's best players. He played for the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, Eastern Province, and Warriors, among other domestic teams, over the years. He added to his expertise in a variety of settings in 2024 by playing county cricket for Northamptonshire.

International Debut and Record-Breaking Start

In September 2023, Matthew played his first Twenty20 International match for South Africa against Australia. With appearances against Pakistan and India, he rapidly increased his global visibility. He made his first half-century (51 off 41 deliveries) in a T20I match against Ireland in September 2024, displaying maturity and poise. In October 2024, he made his Test cricket debut against Bangladesh, however he had a difficult start and was out for a duck in his lone innings.

But Matthew made his mark on cricket history in the One Day International (ODI) format. He broke the long-standing record for the greatest individual score in an ODI debut on February 10, 2025, when he hit 150 runs off 148 balls in his debut against New Zealand during a Tri-Series in Pakistan. He broke the previous record for most runs in a player's first two ODIs two days later when he hit 83 runs in his second game. These outings marked his debut on the international scene and solidified his status as a South Africa top-order batsman.

Joining the IPL and His Role with LSG

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) paid INR 75 lakhs for Matthew Breetzke at the 2025 Indian Premier League auction. On May 27, 2025, he made his IPL debut by scoring 14 runs off of 12 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Even though he only played in one game that season, the LSG camp was impressed by his work ethic, flexibility, and discipline. His professionalism and the composed demeanor he provided to the team were commended by coaches and teammates.

The main reason Matthew was added to the Lucknow Super Giants team was as a top-order batsman. Despite having little playing XI opportunities during the season, he was a useful bench option who was ready to step up when needed. He is a great future asset for the team because of his athletic fielding and aggressive yet strategic batting technique.

Personal Life and Family

Matthew's family is supportive and close-knit. He has two brothers, Nick and Chad, and his parents are Kirk and Lia Breetzke. Chad, his brother, plays cricket as well. Regarding personal matters, Matthew and Megan Price have been together since 2015 and became engaged on November 22, 2024. They are not yet married and have no kids as of 2025.

In addition to playing cricket, Matthew likes to travel, fish, hunt, read, play video games, work out at the gym, and watch movies, especially Step Brothers. After games, he likes to unwind with pals over a beer and eat pizza. Family members like his uncle Pete and grandma Yaya Demas continue to have a significant impact on his life.

Looking Ahead

He is listed at 178 cm and about 65 kg (chest 40, waist 32, biceps 12), making him the athletic, nimble type perfect for middle-order hitting. He bowls off-spin, bats right-handed, and is renowned for his fitness focus; visualization exercises keep him composed and prepared.

Ambitions & Future

Matthew Breetzke, who is only 26 years old, has already accomplished a number of noteworthy firsts, including as making record-breaking debuts and playing in franchise leagues on several continents. In the IPL, his tenure with the Lucknow Super Giants served as a springboard for more responsibility. He is on the verge of becoming one of the most reliable top-order batsmen in South Africa and LSG thanks to his skill, attitude, and ongoing support from family and mentors. This young cricket player has a bright future.

Also Read: Nicholas Pooran


Frequently Asked Questions

Matthew Breetzke was born on November 3, 1998, in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Matthew began playing cricket at age four, supported by his father Kirk Breetzke, who nurtured his early passion for the game.

He attended Grey High School, where he excelled in both cricket and rugby.

He made his T20I debut for South Africa in September 2023 against Australia.

On February 10, 2025, he scored 150 runs in his ODI debut, breaking the record for the highest individual score on debut.

He was bought by the Lucknow Super Giants for INR 75 lakhs at the IPL 2025 auction.

He scored 14 runs off 12 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 27, 2025.

He is a top-order batsman and a valuable bench player known for his strategic batting and athletic fielding.

His family includes parents Kirk and Lia, brothers Nick and Chad, and fiancée Megan Price. He was engaged in November 2024.

He enjoys traveling, fishing, hunting, reading, video games, working out, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.