Since the start of ICC competitions, South Africa's national side has been plagued by devastating defeats. Even with a roster full of elite players, they've spent decades without a major trophy, leading to their infamous 'chokers' label. This struggle was evident during the 2019 ODI World Cup in England, where the team's form deteriorated as the tournament went on, resulting in a seventh-place finish with only three victories out of eight matches.
Following these repeated disasters, the team's most devoted supporters have argued that the side is desperate for the skill and presence of AB de Villiers. De Villiers had retired prior to the 2019 World Cup, meaning he was absent from that critical event. However, rumors of his return have persisted ever since. Jonty Rhodes has been vocal about his admiration, describing de Villiers as a player of immense class.
‘AB de Villiers is such a class guy’: Jonty Rhodes
AB de Villiers last took the field for the national team during a Test series against Australia in March and April of 2018. There is now a growing possibility that he will make himself available for selection to add some excitement to the upcoming tournament in Australia this October. Known as a clinical master of the crease, the batting genius has a reputation for systematically dismantling any bowling attack he faces.
Former Proteas star Jonty Rhodes believes that bringing AB de Villiers back would be a massive boost for South Africa, though he admits it might ruffle some feathers. Rhodes, widely considered one of the greatest fielders in history, argues that the team should do whatever it takes to secure the T20 World Cup, even if that means coaxing de Villiers out of retirement. Speaking with ESPNcricinfo during the Road Safety World Series in Mumbai, Rhodes noted, 'It’s a complicated situation.' He explained that while you always want your strongest lineup, it's difficult for the players who get pushed out of the squad. He questioned the precedent of selecting someone who isn't currently active in the system, yet admitted that after seeing his brilliance in the IPL and Big Bash, it's hard to ignore his quality. Ultimately, Rhodes believes that if the goal is to win a World Cup, you should leave no stone unturned, even if it means a few players are disappointed by the selection.
“I think it’s interesting because it’s a tough call,” Jonty Rhodes told ESPNcricinfo on the sidelines of the Road Safety World Series in Mumbai. “You want your best team to play, it’s also tough on the guys who then miss out. You know AB is a very special player so then do you set a precedent for a guy like AB de Villiers if he is not playing for South Africa, I mean why are you selecting him?” he added.
“I suppose a lot of people watch how he performed at the IPL but just watching him in the Big Bash, he’s such a class player; I’m a big fan of AB de Villiers. I’m just not sure of the precedent. If you want to win a T20 World Cup, you should do anything to win it. You’re not breaking any rules, you are setting a slight precedent and you are going to be upsetting a few players who are going to miss out,” said Rhodes.
Despite being away from international cricket for over two years, AB de Villiers is still regarded as one of the premier batsmen on the planet. The South African management, led by Mark Boucher, is likely hoping that his return could finally turn the team's luck around. It will be fascinating to see if these hopeful developments actually materialize.