A medium fast bowler known for his ability to swing the ball, Fanie de Villiers made his debut against Australia at Melbourne in 1993-94 and shot into limelight in his very second Test match at Sydney. With Australia needing just 117 runs for a victory, Fanie bowled an inspirational spell of 6 for 43 to help South Africa to an unlikely, sensational victory. His match tally of 10 wickets made him the automatic choice for Man of the Match, and Fanie made the day even more special in the presentation ceremony when he said to Tony Greig "You know South Africans, we never give up" (Tony Greig, before the final innings started, had said that South Africa's chances were 100-1).

With age, Fanie lost a bit of pace but his swing kept him in the South African national team. 1994-95 turned out to be a memorable season for him. In just 5 Tests, he took 36 wickets at a miserly average of around 17. He also became the first South African to score a fifty and take 10 wickets in a Test match when he achieved the feat against Pakistan. He was awarded the South African Cricket Cricketer of the Year for his performances.

Post retirement in 1998, Fanie de Villiers joined the media and involved himself in charity work, raising money for the deaf as his daughter and brother are deaf.

By Karthik Lakshmanan