Faf: Through Fire

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It’s quite possible that I was still part of Mark’s plans for the future, but he had an approach to leadership that didn’t include soft skills and relational interactions. The disappointment he experienced at seeing a number of rituals that were instated during his captaincy no longer being followed is evident in his writing. He also explores the destructive relationships, offering his perspective, in devastating detail, on his final years of international cricket.

For instance, Du Plessis found Pite van Biljon’s capping ceremony to be a “diluted affair,” compared to the rituals that took place during his captaincy. In fact, some sections can be turned into self-help material on how to introspect, acknowledge, work on and overcome your flaws. Du Plessis understood the impact of social media on a player’s mental health after he, and his family, received death threats following South Africa’s loss to New Zealand in the quarter-final of the 2011 World Cup. At times brutally honest, this fascinating, introspective work provides a unique insight into the mind and heart of one of South Africa’s most interesting and charismatic national captains. A great book from someone who has for a very long time been a shadow of bigger personalities on the playing field.The best chapter for me though was the one about the swing of a cricket ball, both normal and reverse swing and the science behind it and what teams to to create this to happen, both legal and illegal. This was essential after an unpleasant encounter with Proteas batter, Daryll Cullinan, who expostulated Du Plessis for disrespecting his seniority by sitting next to him. I just wish we all live to see FAF’s vision of a diverse and unified Proteas team, winning a world cup, become a reality. The Du Plessis-Boucher partnership, in addition to Graeme Smith being appointed as Director of Cricket and Jacques Kallis as a batting consultant, was supposed to herald a new day in South African cricket.

All in all, 'Faf :Through Fire' is honest, insightful and, at times, vulnerable account of a man who defied all odds through hard work and determination.The first part of the book which is about his schooling and youth cricket career is interesting, as is his decision to pursue cricket full-time after school and his days playing club cricket in England, where for a season he slept behind the scoreboard. Once du Plessis learned to channel his energy more positively, he was able to appreciate De Villiers’ prodigious talent to the extent that he became his most vocal supporter.