A Pretoria man is recovering from a severe beating allegedly by a group of intoxicated university students on the streets of Brooklyn.

Wilfred Hurwitz suffered a concussion, lost several teeth and had his nose broken after being attacked on Friday, while out jogging before dawn.

While the motive for the assault was unclear, he believed he may have been targeted because of his appearance as more than 80 percent of his body is covered in tattoos.

Hurwitz said that he was 18 kilometres into his morning run when a bakkie loaded with youngsters turned around and approached him with its lights switched off.

"The driver and co-driver got out and told me in Afrikaans that they were going to beat me up in no uncertain terms."

He said he prepared for a fight, but was struck from behind with a brick.

"When I was concussed, they took the liberty of kicking my face in and kicking my ribs in."

Hurwitz is grappling with the seemingly senseless, unprovoked violence reminiscent of the notorious "Waterkloof Four" beating and murder of a homeless man.

"This is actually a group of thugs that is going around looking for someone that they assume is vulnerable, and just have fun with that person."

A case of assault had been opened at the Brooklyn Police Station.