Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes Photo: ICC Media Zone

Happy birthday to Jonty Rhodes South African cricket icon

Jonty Rhodes is not only a legendary Proteas star and accomplished coach, he was the reason a generation of cricketers took up the game.

Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes Photo: ICC Media Zone

Jonty Rhodes is not only a legendary Proteas star and accomplished coach, he was the reason a generation of cricketers took up the game.

Today, 27 July, is the superstar’s birthday. He turns 53-years-old.

Rhodes was best known for his sensational fielding, and arguably transformed the art forever.

His amazing feats in the field stand the test of time, even today Rhodes would be considered a world-class fielder.

Jonty Rhodes
Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes poses for a picture during the annual Covelong Point Classic Surf festival at Kovalam on the outskirts of Chennai on August 24, 2019. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP)

Here you can watch a highlight reel from the incredible career of Jonty Rhodes

Video courtesy of ICC.

Former Proteas Skipper AB de Villiers is among those whom Rhodes inspired.

Were it not for Rhodes we might never have experienced the brilliance of Mister 360 himself.

“Jonty Rhodes was the standout. Once again, from a young age, he had the biggest impact. When I was 8 years old, I saw the run out live in the World Cup 1992. That had a huge impact on me,” de Villiers said.

“I practiced that run out every day of my life. I had grass all over, blood but I had to practice that run out. I never had the opportunity to do that run out in my career. But it still inspired me so much to do special things on the field, to take catches for the team. That’s the way Jonty played. That’s the way I always wanted to play.”

“We became friends. It was a huge dream-come-true for me to just meet him. And then a year or two later, he was the fielding coach in the Proteas side. It was a bit of a blur because it was a dream-come-true to have him around. We played tennis during cricket tours. We still stay in touch. He travels the world. He is that kind of a guy. He loves life. He just gets on his motorbike and rides for hours. He is a bit of a go-getter. He is still the same,” de Villiers added.