AB de Villiers Smashes 37-Ball Century As South Africa Champions Crush Australia

South Africa Champions secured a remarkable eight-wicket victory over Australia Champions in the World Championship of Legends, making light work of a steep 210-run target. Former South African captain AB de Villiers stole the spotlight with an extraordinary exhibition of power-hitting that completely shifted the momentum of the contest.

Australia Champions made an imposing total after choosing to bat first. Captain David Warner set a steady platform with 48 runs off 37 balls, hitting five boundaries and two sixes. While Usman Khawaja departed early for nine, D’Arcy Short provided blistering acceleration. Continuing his outstanding tournament form, Short hammered 66 runs from just 25 deliveries with seven fours and five sixes. Joe Burns remained unbeaten on 38, and Jonathan Wells added an explosive 23 off 12 balls to lift Australia to 209 for 5 in their 20 overs.

Hardus Viljoen proved to be the standout bowler for South Africa Champions, collecting three crucial wickets. Fast bowler Marchant de Lange and veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir supported well with one wicket apiece to prevent an even larger Australian total.

Flying Start for South Africa Champions

Chasing 210, South Africa Champions needed early momentum to stay ahead of the required run rate. Richard Levi stepped up immediately, attacking the Australian bowlers from the opening over. Levi struck a rapid fifty, batting with a strike rate well above 200, giving his side the ideal platform in the run chase.

Although Kane Richardson managed to make a couple of breakthroughs for Australia Champions, the bowling unit struggled to control the scoring rate as boundaries flowed freely across the ground.

Spectacular AB de Villiers Century Seals Dominant Win

Once AB de Villiers settled at the crease, the Australian bowling attack had no answers. De Villiers dismantled the bowling with pure authority, reaching a jaw-dropping century in just 37 deliveries. He finished unbeaten on 111 runs off only 40 balls, striking at an astounding 277.5. His destructive innings featured six crisp boundaries and eleven towering sixes.

This remarkable effort marks the second-fastest century in the history of the World Championship of Legends, trailing only Australia’s Ben Dunk, who previously reached three figures in 35 balls. It also surpassed de Villiers’ own previous best in the tournament, where he had reached a hundred in 39 balls.

Thanks to the unstoppable AB de Villiers century, South Africa Champions chased down the 210-run target in just 15.4 overs, turning a daunting task into a lopsided contest.

🤯🔥 11 MONSTROUS SIXES!

111 RUNS OFF JUST 40 BALLS! AB DE VILLIERS, YOU ABSOLUTE FREAK! 🐐

💣 ELEVEN SIXES IN A SINGLE INNINGS! ABD has completely DESTROYED the Australia Champions bowling attack! 🇿🇦🚀

📸 Image Credit: FanCode

#AUSCHvsSACH #ABdeVilliers https://t.co/hRxiQ82KGw

— CricInformer (@CricInformer) October 9, 2026

Timeless Class Leaves Fans in Awe

The sheer ease of de Villiers’ strokeplay drew immense praise from observers and fans alike. Even after stepping away from international cricket years ago, his lightning-quick reflexes, innovative boundary options, and trademark 360-degree range looked as sharp as ever. The masterclass served as a vivid reminder of his rare genius, leaving supporters wondering why one of the game’s greatest entertainers ever walked away from top-flight cricket.

🤯🔥 AB DE VILLIERS, YOU ABSOLUTE FREAK! TAKE A BOW, LEGEND! 🐐👑

💥 THE SECOND-FASTEST CENTURY IN WCL HISTORY! Mr. 360 has turned back the clock with another UNBELIEVABLE batting masterclass! 🇿🇦🚀

😭❤️ WHY DID YOU RETIRE, ABD? WHY, MAN? INTERNATIONAL CRICKET MISSES YOU SO MUCH!

🔥 42 YEARS OLD AND STILL PLAYING LIKE A MAN POSSESSED!

📸 Image Credit: FanCode

#AUSCHvsSACH #ABdeVilliers

— CricInformer (@CricInformer) October 9, 2026