Exclusive: Hardus Viljoen Relishes Division One Comeback and Hails World Championship of Legends

Former Proteas fast bowler Hardus Viljoen is set to make his full return to Division One cricket with the Tuskers, having lost his contract a couple of years ago and gone to play in Division Two. 

The 36-year-old reflected on the recently concluded World Championship of Legends, where South Africa won the tournament, as one of the best cricket trips of his career.

The Return to Division One

When Hardus Viljoen's contract was not renewed by Division One team, Boland, a few years ago, the fast bowler was roped in by a Division Two team, Northern Cape.

After a successful couple of seasons playing Division Two cricket, the 36-year-old has earned a Division One cricket with the Pietermaritzburg-based Tuskers.

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, Viljoen reflected on the time his contract was not renewed. At the time, Viljoen was among the top wicket-takers in Division One cricket.

The fast bowler highlighted that although he understood the decision of the team, it was still not nice watching his age mates playing Division One cricket while he did not.

However, he emphasised that he enjoyed his time with Northern Cape and has learnt a lot about his game while playing in Division Two cricket, a feat that has allowed him to enjoy a lot of success recently, including a successful stint with the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20.

"When any cricketer does not get contracted to play in a Division 1 team, after you've been the leading wicket-taker in the competitions, and you get told that they want to go for a younger squad, but you still see your other friends still playing in Division One like Shaun von Berg and Peter Malan, who are also the same age as you, hen, obviously, that's not a nice feeling," Viljoen told SportsBoom.co.za.  

"I don't see it as something that happened because of a lack of performance. But at the end of the day, I'm happy with what happened. I'm grateful for the opportunity that the Northern Cape gave me at that stage. They supported me very well, and I learnt a lot there, while also giving back to the youngsters. So, I wasn't unhappy about going into Division 2."

"There's a plan and a reason for everything, and I feel like I had to develop my game in a lot of different ways to make a difference, and I think that's one of the reasons why I've had a bit of success in the last couple of months leading up to now. So, it's very exciting times for the Tuskers; we made some good signings there. I think Ahmed, the coach, has a great idea of what he wants to achieve there. I'm looking forward to this season."

World Championship of Legends

Viljoen recently returned from the United Kingdom, where he was part of the AB de Villiers-led South Africa Champions team that won the World Championship of Legends, beating Pakistan in the final.

Viljoen finished in the top ten wicket-takers list at the tournament and played a key role as the South Africa Champions faced Australia in the semi-finals and Pakistan in the finals.

Viljoen told SportsBoom.co.za that the tournament was very competitive and that it was the best cricket trip of his life as he played with legends of South African cricket, including De Villiers and JP Duminy.

"It was amazing. I did play with the guys back when they were still playing. I think the tipping point came with the semi-finals, where it became hardcore cricket," said Viljoen. 

"If you look at Australia's batting line-up, they were very stacked. Most of them are still playing. Pakistan's team was literally, most of those guys were still playing Pakistan Super League and still playing other leagues around the world. I think the only guys that probably don't play are Mohamed Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal. Those are the only two guys that or that's not actively playing at the moment."

"The thing of, where the tournament has got that perception of retired cricketers and guys that's finished in their careers, that's long gone. It's become a really competitive tournament, and it's gotten bigger since the first year. And I feel going into next year, it's going to be even bigger."

"So, it was an amazing tournament and probably one of the best cricket trips I've had in my life when it comes to off the field. On the field, and obviously winning in the final, where it was a proper cricket match, out and out, it was competitive," he concluded.