AB DE VILLIERS:
AB DE VILLIERS IS READY TO TAKE ON TEAM WORLD AT ICONS CUP SOUTH AFRICA
Former Proteas captain, AB de Villiers will return to competitive team sport this December when he lines up for Team South Africa at the inaugural Icons Cup South Africa at The Links at Fancourt from 11-13 December 2026.
Having previously represented Team World at Icons Cup New York, de Villiers is relishing the chance to pull on the green and gold again, this time alongside one of his childhood sporting heroes, Ernie Els.
AB de Villiers has spent plenty of time hitting a golf ball since retiring from international cricket, but this December will bring a familiar feeling of competition back.
The former Proteas captain will represent Team South Africa at the inaugural Icons Cup South Africa at The Links at Fancourt from 11–13 December 2026, taking on a Team World packed with sporting icons from across the globe.
For de Villiers and his South Africa team mates, this isn’t a playful round of celebrity golf. “I miss representing my country,” he says. “This is the perfect opportunity to do so once again.”
Having previously competed for Team World at the Icons Series in New York, de Villiers knows first-hand that the competition is anything but a casual day on the golf course. And despite being a former international sportsman accustomed to performing under enormous pressure, he admits he is already feeling the nerves.
Here, de Villiers talks about returning to the competitive arena, teaming up with Ernie Els, facing some of his childhood heroes and why he believes Icons Cup South Africa could be about much more than golf.
You’ve played in the Icons Series before. What can fans expect when it comes to South Africa?
AB DE VILLIERS: They’re going to see a lot of high profile sporting superstars turn into golfers under pressure in front of a crowd and on TV screens. Everyone coming over has played golf before and most are single handicappers, so it’s going to be fiercely competitive.
Then there’s the team feel, Team South Africa against the rest of the world. I saw the Team World lineup and I’m childishly excited to meet some of them. I think that might be one of my highlights.
You’ve represented Team World before. How different will it feel to be playing for South Africa this time?
AB DE VILLIERS: It was insanely competitive and nerve-wracking in New York. There were anthems, big crowds singing along and a real live feel to it. This time it’s on home soil. South Africans love winning, so the aim is definitely to go out there and put on a show for everyone in South Africa.
You’ve said you miss representing South Africa. Does this feel like an opportunity to experience some of that again?
AB DE VILLIERS: Absolutely. I miss hitting the ball and representing my country. There are obviously things I don’t miss about professional sport, like travelling for months every year and the pressure but I do miss that feeling of representing South Africa. This gives me an opportunity to do that again, in a completely different sport.
You’ll be playing alongside Ernie Els, someone you’ve described as one of your biggest sporting heroes. What does that mean to you?
AB DE VILLIERS: I actually never met Ernie during my playing days. One December I was in Herold’s Bay with my wife and I saw this guy walking past me towards the ocean. I told her, “That’s Ernie Els. I swear it’s Ernie.”
I grew up watching him on TV, so I walked over like the biggest fan in the world. We ended up becoming friends and having a beer together.
He exceeded all expectations. He’s a larger-than-life character and an absolute idol and role model. So it’s going to be great having him as captain. He’s going to inspire us, and he doesn’t even have to say a word.
And how much of a challenge will The Links at Fancourt be?
AB DE VILLIERS: It’s brutal. It’s one of the hardest courses in South Africa and there’s nowhere to hide. The short game is a big challenge there and then you’ve got the weather conditions, it can get quite windy. But we know what we’re up against and we’re all practising and trying to get our games ready.
What is your preparations looking like for Icons Cup?
AB DE VILLIERS: Golf has always been part of my upbringing. It’s a big love in my family and I grew up playing it from a very young age. Since hearing that the Icons Cup was coming to South Africa, I’ve increased my practice and I’m getting on the range two or three times a week. It’s still fun, but we are definitely going to compete and try to win this thing.
You’ve performed under enormous pressure throughout your cricket career. Are you still nervous?
AB DE VILLIERS: Definitely. At the very peak of my cricket career, I was still nervous walking out to bat and afraid of failing. It’s completely normal and very human. I believe in myself and I’m confident, but I’m also a little bit scared. The only way to counter that is to practise and keep playing. When I get to that first tee, I’ll tell myself I’ve got nothing to lose. Believe in myself, go guns blazing and leave it all out there, win or lose.
You’ll be sharing the course with sporting icons from completely different codes. Who are you most excited to compete against?
AB DE VILLIERS: Brian Lara is one of my idols. I remember being eight years old watching him on TV and thinking, “One day I’d love to bat like that guy.”
I actually first met him when I was playing for South Africa. I remember being at a game where he knew my name before I really knew what to make of it. He came up to me and said he knew how to pronounce my name and told me, “You can play the game.” That really stuck with me because, at that stage, he was one of the greatest players in the world and someone I had grown up watching.
And now I’m getting the opportunity to join forces with him, except this time we’ll be on opposing teams. There are so many incredible names coming over, and that’s what makes this event so special.
What do you think makes Icons different from a traditional golf tournament?
AB DE VILLIERS: It’s the fact that you’re bringing icons from different sports together. You don’t see that anywhere else in the world. It brings them closer to the fans. People will get to interact with their heroes, see the human side of them and watch them under pressure doing something they’re not necessarily familiar with.
I think it will entertain pretty much anyone, whether you’re a golf fan or not.
You’ve spoken about inspiring the next generation. Why is that important to you?
AB DE VILLIERS: I think especially for youngsters, it’s about making the next generation dream and getting them outdoors. When I was growing up, it was difficult to communicate with or get close to your role models. Icons gives people the opportunity to be right there, to see their heroes, interact with them and hopefully be inspired by them.
Finally, what would you say to South Africans deciding whether to make the trip to Fancourt?
AB DE VILLIERS: Come and be part of it. It’s the festive season, the Garden Route is a beautiful part of South Africa and you can build a holiday around it. You’ll have rugby, football and cricket legends as well sporting stars from around the world all in one place. And once that first tee shot is hit, it’s going to be all about winning.
