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“It’s just a good story and it’s an honest story.” That was how Proteas captain AB de Villiers described his book, AB: The Autobiography, which was launched in Johannesburg today.
“To do something like this is crazy in a way,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a right; it’s a privilege to get this opportunity to put some kind of a message in a book and try to get it across to people who will hopefully find it inspirational. I specifically think of the younger generation and the way I can inspire them to go and chase after their dreams.”
But why should anyone buy the book?
“I think there’s a good message in there,” said de Villiers. “It’s just a good story and it’s an honest story. I’ve always worn my heart on my sleeve. I like to be open and honest. I don’t like to hide things and pretend.”
And the 32-year-old does just that in the book, writing about several controversial issues including the 2015 World Cup and transformation in cricket.
On the delay of the book – which was supposed to be on shelves last year – De Villiers said he had underestimated the whole process of writing a book.
“I wanted to do it the right way ... go back to my home town and revisit the memories and then write it. Before I started the book I thought it was going to be a few months and then as I kept travelling things kept coming up.”
But he said he was happy with the final product.
On race and colour, the Proteas captain said the team members honestly don’t see race. “It’s also how I grew up,” said De Villiers. “It shouldn’t be a problem in our country but unfortunately it still is.”
» See City Press on Sunday for the full interview
» AB: The Autobiography is published by Pan Macmillan and is available from leading retailers at R350
