'In bed with my sister': Cricketer's interview stuns viewers
South Africa Test captain Faf du Plessis has left cricket fans in stitches with one of the most memorable interviews in quite some time.
Du Plessis was chatting to a TV host before his side’s Mzansi Super League (MSL) game against Nelson Mandela Bay Giants when he dropped an unexpectedly hilarious bombshell.
Asked whether there were any changes to his Paarl Rocks side ahead of the game, the Proteas batsman showed his funny side by throwing one of his teammates under the bus.
"Hardus Viljoen is not playing today because he's lying in bed with my sister," Du Plessis revealed.
The host could barely contain his astonishment before the South Africa skipper quickly explained his shock remark.
"They got married yesterday," he added before the sound of raucous laughter ended the interview.
The quirky response unsurprsingly drew plenty of laughter on social media.
Cricket interview of the century??? Faf du Plessis. pic.twitter.com/WgWUum45Ur
— jeff moloi (@jeffersohn) December 8, 2019
Faf du Plessis “Hardus Viljoen is not playing today cos he is lying in bed with my sister. They got married yesterday.” This is hilarious 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/1AwHQnrUtC
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 8, 2019
Hardus Viljoen not playing today because he's lying in bed with my sister as they got married yesterday - Faf du Plessis 😂 #MSLT20
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) December 8, 2019
😂😂😂😂
— Robin Rounder (@robin_rounder) December 8, 2019
Lol
— BeingBihari (@singhghanshyam) December 8, 2019
🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Sudhanshu (@sudhanshu25_) December 8, 2019
Sounds weird when you say it that way, 🤦🏽♂️ but congrats to the newlyweds
— Sifiso Mabaso (@Sifiso_TN) December 8, 2019
Cricket: South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis produces hilarious interview answer – New Zealand Herald https://t.co/OjAYWMLSVA pic.twitter.com/g0CllofIoE
— World NEWS (@ABP_332211) December 9, 2019
Viljoen had been dating the sister of du Plessis, Remi Rhynners, for almost a year before their wedding on the weekend.
Asked to bat first, Paarl Rocks set a 168-run total after losing five wickets.
Du Plessis scored 22 runs from 19 deliveries and lost his wicket to Mthiwekhaya Nabe.
Opener Cameron Delport top-scored for the hosts with a 22-ball 39 laced with nine boundaries.
Proteas skipper keen to move on from scandals
Du Plessis’ also weighed in on a big scandal facing South African cricket, saying he hoped on-field matters would take centre stage as the Proteas prepare to host England in an upcoming Test series.
Cricket South Africa's CEO Thabang Moroe was suspended as a "precautionary" move on Friday following allegations of misconduct.
Preparations for the Proteas' four-Test series against England have been hindered by a number of additional issues, including disputes with the South African Cricketers' Association, the loss of a major sponsor, and a ban on five journalists that was swiftly reversed.
Former captain Graeme Smith is set to be appointed as South Africa's new director of cricket next week and Du Plessis believes attention must turn to the playing XI.
"Obviously a lot has happened but now it's a new start," the skipper was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
"As a board we have noted the apology that has come from the CEO and as a board we endorse that apology." - CSA President, Chris Nenzani on the revocation of accreditation of five members of the media. #CSAMediaBriefing pic.twitter.com/BXSfTCjeJX
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 7, 2019
"There's not much time before the English series so now it's about putting our focus back on to the team, making sure that the Test team gets all the things that are required for us to be successful.
"It's been a little bit on pause the last two or three weeks, which is already too late, so we need to make sure in the next week things will start unfolding to make sure the Test team gets the most attention. The last two weeks there hasn't been much attention on that so that is what we will try and drive over the next week.
"Now it's about moving forward. I am a firm believer that it's time for us to look ahead from all this c**p that's been happening behind the scenes. It's about making sure that the players are focused on the cricket side of things. It's about getting focus on what's really important now, which is a Test series against England.
"There's too much negative stuff that's happened over the last four or five weeks and our cricket is too strong to have so many issues all the time. We are too proud a cricketing nation to be talking about this stuff all the time. The attention needs to be on the cricket and making sure we will build ourselves as a team and ourselves as an organisation to be great again."
The first Test between South Africa and England begins on December 26 at Centurion.
With agencies