Fanie de Villiers

Who is Fanie de Villiers?

Petrus Stephanus de Villiers, was a cricketer who played 18 Tests and 83 One Day Internationals for South Africa as a right arm fast-medium bowler and right hand batsman between 1992 and 1998.

De Villiers debuted in first-class cricket in 1985–86 for Northern Transvaal B. He opened the bowling in both innings, taking 5 for 33 in the second. He also played a season for English county team Kent in 1990.

In 1993–94, at the age of 29, he was called up for the Test tour of Australia. He was selected for the first Test in Melbourne but it was at the second Test in Sydney where De Villiers established himself at Test level. With Australia needing just 117 runs to win, De Villiers took 6 for 43, including the final wicket – a return catch from Glenn McGrath – to lead South Africa to a five run victory. De Villiers' match figures of 10 for 123 saw him named Man of the Match.

Former England captain Tony Greig had said at the start of the final innings that South Africa's chances were 100–1. At the Man of the Match presentation, De Villiers reminded him of his statement, adding, "You know South Africans; we never give up."

De Villiers showed further courage in the third Test in Adelaide when, despite not being able to bowl in Australia's second innings, he batted for 198 minutes as a nightwatchman, scoring 30 in South Africa's loss.