AB de Villiers isn’t done yet—not by a long shot. The 41-year-old cricketing maestro rolled back the years with a staggering 41-ball century as South Africa Champions obliterated England Champions by 10 wickets in their World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 clash at Grace Road.
Chasing 153, South Africa made it look like a net session. No wickets lost. Just 12.2 overs needed. And a man who’s been retired from international cricket for nearly half a decade proving he still belongs on any stage, any day.
“Sometimes, muscle memory just takes over,” said de Villiers post-match, smiling through the sweat. “Honestly, it felt like 2015 again.”
England’s Misfire
England Champions batted first after winning the toss but never quite got going. Despite a decent platform from openers and a brief cameo from Eoin Morgan, they stumbled to 152/6 in their 20 overs. It wasn’t a disastrous total — but it was far from safe against a team stacked with hitters.
Jacques Kallis and Morne Morkel were miserly with the ball, drying up runs and cranking the pressure.
“They bowled like it was 2008,” quipped Morgan. “It’s like muscle memory for them too — just not the kind we wanted.”
De Villiers Goes Ballistic
In reply, South Africa Champions didn’t bother with caution. AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla walked out and never gave England a sniff.
Amla was the quiet artist — a composed 29 off 25 — while de Villiers played the rockstar. Reverse sweeps, ramp shots, inside-out drives over cover — it was all on display. By the time he reached his hundred in just 41 balls, the crowd was on its feet, and the English bowlers looked dazed.
De Villiers eventually finished on an unbeaten 116 off 51 deliveries, with 15 boundaries and 7 towering sixes.
The chase was completed in 12.2 overs, giving South Africa their second consecutive win in the tournament — and with a thumping net run rate boost too.
What It Means
South Africa Champions now sit pretty at the top of the WCL 2025 standings, looking like the team to beat. England, on the other hand, have slumped to a second straight loss — a wake-up call as the group stage pressure builds.
Fans and pundits alike couldn’t stop raving about the de Villiers masterclass.
“He’s not Mr. 360 for nothing,” tweeted Kevin Pietersen. “Just outrageous batting.”
For South Africa, it’s a big, bold statement. For AB de Villiers, it’s a reminder that true class never fades.
