Fans go berserk as AB de Villiers turns back time with brilliant 116 to propel South Africa Champions to win over England Champions

In a sensational batting display, South African cricketing icon AB de Villiers stunned the world by smashing a fiery hundred in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. Even at the age of 41, De Villiers, playing for South Africa Legends, showcased extraordinary cricketing prowess, turning back the clock and giving fans a nostalgic moment.

Timeless AB de Villiers smashes 116 runs in WCL 2025 masterclass

Chasing a slim target of 153 runs against the England Champions, the Proteas completed the job in style, registering a memorable ten-wicket victory. But the undisputed highlight of the match was de Villiers, who showed no mercy to the English bowlers from the moment he stepped onto the field. De Villiers went on to smash a breathtaking 116 not out off just 51 deliveries, laced with 15 fours and a sensational seven sixes.

Remarkably, in the unbeaten 153-run opening partnership, his partner contributed only 29 runs, a rare sight in cricket. South Africa Legends went onto the target in just 12.2 overs. It was a dreadful outing with the ball for the England Champions, as none of their bowlers managed to claim a single wicket. Despite having several experienced names in their ranks, they had no answers to De Villiers’ brutal power-hitting. Only Ajmal Shahzad and Ravi Bopara managed to keep their economy rates below 10; the rest endured a forgettable day on the field.

Clinical bowling performance from South Africa Champions

Earlier in the first innings, the England Champions put up a fighting total against a strong Proteas bowling unit. Opener Phil Mustard anchored the top order with a gritty 39, while Samit Patel and Eoin Morgan looked promising but couldn’t convert their starts into big scores. A crucial late partnership between Tom Ambrose and Liam Plunkett gave the innings much-needed momentum, helping England post a respectable 152 for 6 in their 20 overs. The South Africa Legends’ bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. Hardus Viljoen starred with 3 for 20, while Wayne Parnell contributed with 2 for 36, Imran Tahir kept things tight with 1 for 17. It was a well-rounded bowling effort that restricted England to a chaseable total.

Also READ: “Why was the match scheduled?”: Fans react as India vs Pakistan WCL 2025 clash called off amid backlash

Here’s how fans reacted:

Just AB de villiers things 🐐 pic.twitter.com/5Oh8kCemlM

— 𝗘𝗸𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗵. (@Rcbsera) July 25, 2025

MR.360🫰
AB DE VILLIERS SMASHED A 41 BALL CENTURY IN THE WCL. 🥶

– The GOAT is back with a bang. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/vyo7aAgV1k

— ABD (@FAheemAli_14) July 25, 2025

AB DE VILLIERS SMASHED A 41 BALL CENTURY IN THE WCL.

Mr 360° is back in own Style ❤️ pic.twitter.com/y9CPhzFbTN

— Raja babu Singh (@rbsingh2018) July 25, 2025

AB DE VILLIERS, AN ICON OF THE GAME.🔥

41-year-old 🤝 41-ball century #WCL2025 #ABD #ABDeVilliers #SAvsENG #WCL pic.twitter.com/3nujhLKjHY

— Kamit Solanki (@KamitSolanki) July 25, 2025

What AB de Villiers is doing to the bowlers in the legends league is ridiculous. That man could walk into the international side and continue to dominate at the highest level

— Billz 🇿🇦🇺🇸 (@billz_25) July 24, 2025

Ab de villiers smashed a 41 ball century in WCL 🔥

Hey @ABdeVilliers17 , you have taken retirement too early 😔 pic.twitter.com/87mjdgtned

— Aǟʟօӄ (@ALOKYADAV1800) July 24, 2025

A masterclass from AB de Villiers. 116 off 51 deliveries, leading SACH to a dominant 10 wickets win.

This man’s built different and still got it in him💪🏻💥 pic.twitter.com/fo1eHrqEfo

— Jonah Abraham 😷 (@JonahAbraham26) July 24, 2025

Even after retirement, AB de Villiers remains the standard every great batsman is measured against. pic.twitter.com/R3DXbPTamI

— yash shinde (@Shreyash_fit) July 24, 2025

AB DE VILLIERS, AN ICON OF THE GAME. pic.twitter.com/K4tSzVu8Tp

— moin moja (@MojaMoin) July 24, 2025

AB DE VILLIERS WE HAVE A WORLD CUP NEXT YEAR FELLA

— AFCRyan 🇿🇦 (@AFC_Ryan__) July 24, 2025

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