AB de Villiers has always held a special place in the world of cricket. He is respected across generations, admired by fans of rival teams, and valued by fellow players. The former South African captain earned the nickname “Mr. 360” for his ability to play shots to all parts of the ground. His career is known for amazing performances, smart batting, and an image built on humility and fair play.

However, during the ongoing SA20 league, de Villiers was caught in an unexpected off-field moment that quickly went viral. While watching the match between Pretoria Capitals and MI Cape Town from the stands, cameras showed him vaping alongside his wife. The clip was shown during the live broadcast and soon spread across social media, surprising many fans.

The incident happened in the eighth over when the camera turned towards the crowd. De Villiers was seen blowing out smoke and reaching for another puff before he realised he was on camera. His surprised reaction and quick move to avoid attention made the moment even bigger, leading to a wide discussion among cricket fans.

Watch the video here:

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Ab de villiers vaping 🤣👌🏻#Abdivilliers #SA20League #MICTvsPC pic.twitter.com/XVJTqAFiEy

— the velvet revival (@willieedynamite) January 12, 2026

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Cricket’s off-field surprises aren’t new

Cricket has seen such moments before. Even MS Dhoni, known as Captain Cool, was once seen smoking a hookah in Dubai. Former New Zealand batter and current England coach Brendon McCullum also faced attention for a smoking incident during a match. These moments show that cricketers also have off-field actions that often draw public interest.

Pretoria Capitals dominate on the field

While the vaping clip ruled social media, the match itself delivered strong on-field action. Batting first, Pretoria Capitals recovered well after early losses. Dewald Brevis gave quick momentum with a 19-ball 34, while Sherfane Rutherford played a key role with a powerful 53 off 27 balls. Their efforts helped the team post a competitive total of 185.

The bowlers then stepped up, led by Gideon Peters, who picked up three wickets for 32 runs. With good support from the rest of the attack, Pretoria Capitals bowled out MI Cape Town for 132 and secured a convincing 53-run win.

Although Pretoria’s strong performance sealed the result, it was AB de Villiers’ unexpected viral moment that grabbed the most attention. The incident ensured this SA20 clash will be remembered well beyond the final ball.