Cape Town - Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith has paid tribute to AB de Villiers, who retired from international cricket on Wednesday.
READ: AB retires from all international cricket
In a decision that came as a massive surprise to the South African sporting public, De Villiers said that he was "tired" and that the time was right for him to give others a chance on the international stage.
It is a blow to South Africa's 2019 World Cup hopes, but the cricketing community was full of praise for one of the most naturally gifted batsman of all time.
Smith, like many others, chipped in by saying that he had "nothing but love" for De Villiers and that it had been a "privilege" to play with him.
READ: 5 of AB's most memorable knocks
De Villiers has confirmed that he will still be playing cricket, and the one shining lights from a South African perspective is that he has given a commitment to still represent the Titans domestically.
Nothing but love ?? @ABdeVilliers17 it’s been an absolute privilege pic.twitter.com/Zewf8lFeTJ
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) May 24, 2018
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