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South African cricket legend AB de Villiers added an element of mystery and humor to the 12th match of the SA20 2025 between Pretoria Capitals and Paarl Royals. The iconic former cricketer, known for his stellar career with both the South African national team and various franchises around the world, decided to attend the game in disguise. Rather than appearing in his usual high-profile manner, De Villiers blended in with the crowd, enjoying the match as a regular fan.
AB de Villiers’ elaborate disguise to avoid attention
In a move that captured the imagination of fans, De Villiers went to great lengths to conceal his identity. Given his immense popularity, it’s not uncommon for the legendary batter to be inundated with attention whenever he steps out in public. To avoid the usual fanfare and to enjoy the game between the Pretoria Capitals and Paarl Royals without disturbance, De Villiers opted for a humorous and elaborate disguise.
Before the match, he donned a fake big beard, a wig, and dark sunglasses, transforming his appearance to the point where it became nearly impossible to recognize him. This clever makeover obscured around 90% of his face, allowing him to blend in seamlessly with the other spectators. His wife, Danielle, joined him for the outing, but the pair still kept a low profile throughout the game. The lighthearted approach allowed the former wicketkeeper-batter to enjoy the atmosphere of the match, especially as he supported his home team, the Pretoria Capitals.
Here is the video:
I shared my experience of going to the @SA20_League, in disguise, as a fan, in this week’s #360Show.
I also stepped back into the nets for a bit of cricket coaching session.
Watch all that in this week’s episode: https://t.co/1r89foPVxC pic.twitter.com/RVVQfRuEcY
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 23, 2025
Also WATCH: Heinrich Klaasen takes an incredible flying catch to dismiss Joe Root for a golden duck | SA20 2025
SA20 2025: A thrilling season so far
The third edition of the SA20 league has been an action-packed spectacle filled with high-octane cricket and fierce competition. With the tournament nearing its climax, excitement is building towards the final match on February 8th at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. As of now, Paarl Royals sit at the top of the points table, with 5 wins and only one loss. Their strong form has placed them in a prime position.
In individual performances, Lhuan-dre Gilbert Pretorius of Paarl Royals leads the run-scoring charts with an impressive 258 runs. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen of Sunrisers Eastern Cape has claimed 10 wickets, making him the tournament’s top wicket-taker so far. The competitive nature of the league has ensured that each match is full of suspense and edge-of-the-seat moments, keeping fans eagerly anticipating each encounter.
