Dale Steyn Makes Mammoth AB De Villiers Claim After South Africa Champions’ WCL Win: “Better Than Half the Internationals at IPL”

In the 2025 WCL, South African AB de Villiers scored three centuries, with one each against the Pakistan, Australia, and England 'Champions' teams.

Dale Steyn Makes Mammoth AB De Villiers Claim After South Africa Champions’ WCL Win: “Better Than Half the Internationals at IPL”

Dale Steyn boldly claimed that AB de Villiers is still better than many overseas players in the IPL. (via Hindustan Times)

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Former South African pacer Dale Steyn made an audacious claim about international players in the IPL, suggesting that the now-retired AB de Villiers is still a better player than many of them. This statement came in the wake of De Villiers’ sensational performance in the recent WCL tournament.

AB de Villiers, having retired from all forms of cricket in 2021, is still revered as one of the finest batters of the 21st century, celebrated for his aggressive strokeplay and unique shot-making ability. The ex-South African captain is among a few batters in the world with an average of over 50 in both Tests and ODIs. He has more than 18,200 runs across these two formats, with a total of 47 centuries and 99 half-centuries.

De Villiers, most recently, grabbed headlines, after returning to play for South Africa ‘Champions’ in the 2025 season of the World Championship of Legends (WCL). The 41-year-old showed off his class and elegance with 431 runs across six matches, at a mind-blowing average of 143.67, even ending as the highest run-getter. At a strike-rate of 221.03, De Villiers hit three hundreds, the most by any player.

Even while battling a hamstring issue, De Villiers guided his team to the 2025 WCL title, scoring 120 runs off just 60 balls in the final against Pakistan. Chasing a target of 195, he reached his hundred in just 47 deliveries, plundering 12 fours and seven sixes to secure victory in just 16.5 overs. He was supported by JP Duminy, as the pair stitched together a crucial 125-run partnership to see South Africa ‘Champions’ over the line.

While AB de Villiers, at 41, four years after his retirement, picked up both the final Player of the Match award as well as the Player of the Tournament Award. This prompted former South African pacer, Dale Steyn to make a stunning claim. Steyn took to social media to share his opinion, stating that de Villiers, despite his long retirement, is still a better player than half of the overseas players currently playing in the IPL. He wrote:

Unpopular/Popular opinion. Ab is still better than half the internationals at IPL. Maybe even more.

Dale Steyn’s comment is a subtle reference to the inconsistent performances of many international stars in the IPL in recent seasons. Moreover, his claim about AB de Villiers is also backed by the fact that the former RCB star remains the eighth-highest run-scorer in IPL history, with 5,162 runs in 184 matches at an average of 39.70, including four centuries and 40 half-centuries.

Fans were quick to respond to Dale Steyn’s remark, with many agreeing with his claim, even suggesting that de Villiers is better than 90 percent of the foreign players in the IPL. De Villiers’ consistency and hitting ability throughout the WCL shows that he still has a lot left in him.

AB de Villiers Picks Young Dewald Brevis as the Next ‘Mr. 360’

South African legend AB de Villiers shared his thoughts on who could potentially inherit his famous ‘Mr. 360’ title. De Villiers was once known for his unique ability to play shots all around the ground, which earned him the nickname.

AB de Villiers next 'Mr. 360'
AB de Villiers touted Dewald Brevis to be the next ‘Mr. 360 degrees’, for South Africa. (via NDTV Sports)

Speaking on his YouTube channel, De Villiers suggested that 23-year-old Dewald Brevis could be the next ‘Mr. 360′, and referred to him as a potential successor. AB de Villiers noted that Brevis also wears the number 17 on his jersey, the same number he used to wear, and plays a similar brand of attacking cricket, making him the closest to become the next most versatile player.

However, in a light-hearted manner, AB de Villiers also expressed his regret that Dewald Brevis plays for the CSK in the IPL, and he jokingly hoped that he would one day join his former team, RCB. He also named Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav as another strong contender for the nickname.