Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has made clear that defending the World Championship of Legends (WCL) title in the UAE will demand nothing less than a full competitive commitment, saying he urged his teammates to set aside off-field friendships the moment they crossed the boundary rope. De Villiers will lead the South Africa Champions in the tournament running from 3 to 18 October in Sharjah, with their campaign opening against the West Indies Champions on Sunday.

The Defending Champions' Mindset

South Africa arrive as the side to beat, having claimed the WCL 2025 title with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston. That final was anchored by a breathtaking unbeaten 120 off 60 balls from De Villiers himself. Speaking ahead of the title defence, De Villiers described the tension between the tournament's nostalgic atmosphere and its competitive stakes.

'Yes, being part of the WCL last year, the main part of the decision was to rekindle some of the memories, to share a dressing room with old teammates again,' he said. 'But once again, being captain of the South African champions came with a little bit of pressure. I just couldn't help but the minute I arrived at the ground to get that competitive mindset going again — I pulled the team in and I told them, we are here to win and we are not here to be friends with everyone.'

The Squad: Familiar Faces and a Key Debut

The South Africa Champions have added significant firepower for the WCL 2026 campaign. Former captain Faf du Plessis makes his WCL debut, reuniting with De Villiers in what is one of South African cricket's most celebrated batting partnerships. They are joined by ex-Proteas regulars JP Duminy, Wayne Parnell, Imran Tahir, Richard Levi, and Colin Ingram. Fast-bowling legend Allan Donald serves as head coach, adding formidable coaching credentials to an already experienced setup.

De Villiers on Fitness and Preparation

De Villiers was candid about the physical demands of stepping back onto the field as a retired cricketer. 'I surprised myself with the way I batted. So the muscle memory is still there, but physically it wasn't so easy,' he admitted. He revealed he began preparing approximately two months before the tournament, focusing specifically on getting his batting muscles ready for action.

'Fitness-wise, I am an active person. I love staying fit. I do a lot of fitness work and I'm in the gym at least four or five times a week. But hitting balls is not so easy anymore and obviously the fielding side of cricket is something you always have to stay in touch with,' he noted. De Villiers added that while the intensity is naturally different post-retirement, the desire to win remains undimmed once he crosses the white line.

Balance Between Camaraderie and Competition

One of the WCL's distinctive qualities is its blend of high-level cricket and a reunion atmosphere. De Villiers acknowledged the unique social dynamic that sets the tournament apart from regular competitive cricket. 'We stayed in the same hotel and there was lots of banter before and after games and a very casual feeling,' he said. 'I remember the evenings in the hotel and catching up with old teammates and friends from opposition teams — all of us, just a very happy feeling and that's the way sport should be played.'

This balance — fierce competition on the field, genuine warmth off it — appears to be the formula South Africa intend to replicate as they pursue a second successive title. Notably, the WCL format, which brings together retired legends from cricket's biggest nations, has grown rapidly in viewer interest, with FanCode serving as the official broadcaster for the 2026 edition.

What to Watch

South Africa's opener against the West Indies Champions on Sunday will be an early gauge of how well the squad has gelled with the new additions. The addition of Du Plessis gives the batting order a different dimension, while Donald's coaching influence adds tactical depth. If De Villiers can replicate even a fraction of his 2025 final heroics, the defending champions will be formidable across the 15-day tournament.