Boucher pays tribute to 'inspiring' De Villiers

Cape Town - Mark Boucher has paid tribute to former team-mate AB de Villiers who announced his retirement from all international cricket on Wednesday.

Boucher, the current coach of the Titans and former Proteas wicketkeeper, took to Twitter to post a picture of a young De Villiers. 

"I remember this young guy on his 1st day for the Proteas," Boucher wrote. 

"What an inspiration, person and player he turned out to be."

Boucher was one of a number of players - past and present - to pay tribute to De Villiers on social media. 

The announcement came as a huge shock to the cricketing world, with De Villiers having previously been vocal in his desire to win the Cricket World Cup, which takes place in England in May next year. 

Boucher, though, does at least have the comfort of knowing that De Villiers has already expressed his desire to carry on playing for the Titans. 

I remember this young guy on his 1st day out for Proteas... What an inspiration, person and player he turned out to be. Thank you for everything you have done and been for your country, teammates and fans @ABdeVilliers17 #legend pic.twitter.com/8gQBDWbAp7

— mark boucher (@markb46) May 23, 2018