Jacques Kallis played a big role in my career: AB de Villiers
South Africa captain AB de Villiers has said in a recent media interaction that he wants to help his younger teammates in a similar way legend Jacques Kallis helped him early in his career.
Legendary all-rounder Kallis represented South Africa in 166 Tests before retiring from his international career in 2013. De Villiers added saying that he helped him a lot in shaping his career in early stages.
"He (Kallis) played a big role in my career. The same goes for Hashim Amla and all the other batsmen who batted around him in their time.
"It's the sort of influence I'd like to now have on the guys around me."
The 31-year-old was recently honoured with South Africa's Cricketer of the Year award for in consecutive times. He became the only player after Makhaya Ntini to win that award in back-to-back years. Besides that, he was also awarded the following award titles:
ODI international Cricketer of the Year: De Villiers
Cricketers' Cricketer of the Year: De Villiers
Supporters' Cricketer of the Year: De Villiers
Special award: De Villiers (fastest ODI century, against West Indies in Johannesburg)