Faf Through Fire: An Autobiography

by Faf Du Plessis

Faf through Fire is far more than just a book about cricket. It is the story of a man who happened to play the sport at the highest level.

This brutally honest, fascinating, introspective work provides a unique insight into the mind and heart of one of South Africa's most interesting and charismatic cricketers. There is the public persona-the tattooed, fashion-conscious, mentally tough, immensely popular and yet, at times, misunderstood Du Plessis. And then there is the authentic Faf. It took him years to connect with this side of himself, but when he did, it shaped his relationships with people and, ultimately, his captaincy of the Proteas.

In this book, Du Plessis lays bare the story of his growth, from a youth with a questionable moral compass outside of cricket to a leader known for his integrity, values, honesty and empathy for his teammates. He reflects on how influential leaders, such as Gary Kirsten, Stephen Fleming, Doc Moosajee, Graeme Smith, A.B. de Villiers, Owen Eastwood, Russell Domingo, Ottis Gibson and M.S. Dhoni, helped mould him into a man who leads with grit, purpose and a love of people. He also explores the destructive relationships, offering his perspective, in devastating detail, on his final years of international cricket. Neither the changing room nor the boardroom is off limits in this no-holds-barred account.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Autobiography

493 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2023

Reviews

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really takes you into the mind of Faf and his journey of growth, both as a cricketer and as a person. He bares his soul on these pages and acknowledges all the mistakes he made in his life and how he owned up to it and how it helped him grow. Faf is a true fighter who was always at his best when the odds were stacked against him, and one of the highlights of the book is where he takes you with him to the crease where he explains his mental state during some of his greatest inning's.

The first part of the book which is about his schooling and youth cricket career is interesting, as is his decision to pursue cricket full-time after school and his days playing club cricket in England, where for a season he slept behind the scoreboard. This showcases his determination to succeed and fight it out to come out on top by taking the longer road towards cricket stardom.

He also takes you behind the scenes into the locker room and explains what happened during some of the most controversial moments in cricket during his career, from Zipgate, Mintgate, Sandpapergate and the 2015 World Cup Semi Final selection controversy. And also the numerous successes he has had both at international and domestic level. Faf just gets better and better with age it seems and will go down in Protea history as one of our greats, both as a player and a captain.

The best chapter for me though was the one about the swing of a cricket ball, both normal and reverse swing and the science behind it and what teams to to create this to happen, both legal and illegal. He describes this brilliantly and any cricket lover would enjoy this.

This was a really good book, but a tough read as there is a lot of repetition and some of the details behind events can become a bit exhaustive. Still highly recommended reading.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to learn this much about leadership in a sports autobiography. Faf is honest, open, vulnerable, and forthcoming in this book. He talks about how the Proteas built a culture and how he approached his role as a captain. I highlighted many passages and learnt a lot.

He speaks openly about the 2015 World Cup, his relationship with Cricket South Africa, and South Africa’s disappointing World Cup performances.

I was sad and angry in the end to read about his experiences with Smith and Boucher and how Cricket South Africa treated him.

[George Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating autobiography that taught me so much on the importance of soft skills in leading a team, as well as a growth mindset. Loved the honesty and vulnerability throughout. So much respect for Faf.

[Saul Kamionsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an insightful book in which Faf unashamedly points out his flaws and vulnerabilities. Faf thoroughly unpacks how certain moments impacted him emotionally. He also reveals what really happens behind the scenes at sporting clubs/organisations – such as Cricket South Africa.

[Mitansh Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best sports autobiography I’ve ever read. A no holds barred critique in the truest sense by one of South Africa’s greatest sports leaders. Loved it!

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faf Du ‘Repeat’ but still a great cricket read.

[Lwazi Bangani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book from someone who has for a very long time been a shadow of bigger personalities on the playing field.

This book gives us clarity into the real FAF, the human being and not the cricketer. I have now realised that he was on the receiving end of unfair criticism towards the latter parts of his international career. And I was one of a lot of people who felt betrayed and very dissapointed by his sudden retirement from international cricket. This was without really knowing what he was really dealing with behind the scenes. Now I know.

Ultimately, this book has been a revelation and it was worth the read. I just wish we all live to see FAF’s vision of a diverse and unified Proteas team, winning a world cup, become a reality.

Anyway, if you are a true cricket fan please do give this read a try. You will not be dissapointed.

#EverybodyNeedsLove!

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great to read, really enjoyed the transparency and honesty. Great fighter who does not shy away from his vulnerability. Awesome

[Sapna Bisht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love Faf. What an amazing guy. Fell in love with his batting and fielding and now his personality after reading this one.

[Delin Machamada · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brave and honest autobiography

A very bravely written book, where Faf ushers the readers to a detailed narrative of his life's journey so far. It is not simply about his cricket but all his life experiences that have shaped him and continue to do so. Its a rare self assessment that is honestly brutal. In fact, some sections can be turned into self-help material on how to introspect, acknowledge, work on and overcome your flaws. Got too detailed in some parts, but overall a very poignant read.

[Brendon Jordaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a huge cricket fan (as well as a huge Faf fan), I was excited to read and was presently surprised with this book. It gives good insight to the behind the scenes and politics that we don't see on screen and dives into what it's like to not only play for the Proteas but what it's like to lead the Proteas during a rather difficult time in South African cricket and sports in general. The book is well written and easy to read and for those that enjoy studying and are interested in leadership, it's definitely worth a read.

The only negative side to the book is that it does, especially closer to the end become slightly self righteous but I guess that's what any good Biography is.

Overall a great read!

[Grant Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, rather disappointing read. The books is at times uncomfortable to plough through as it smacks of a bumbling self-absorbed child with a victim mentality. I can appreciate the light it sheds on the ineptitude of South African cricket management and administration as well as the difficulties this in turn creates. I likely would not recommend this book as the interest surrounding the back of house ongoings isn’t worth the self-promoting arrogance of the man-child himself.

[Sundar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read biographies of Successful people and especially Cricketers and many of those have a common template: from how the kid with limited understanding of the game puts all the hard work and reach the highest level. Faf’s bio has similar narration style, however being an Indian myself, I really liked the below things:

1. How South African cricket has operated in during/ post Smith era; the culture that was set up, the coach, captain camaraderie. How culture is very important in a team (something even applicable for a private working professional, home with few people).
2. South African cricket’s take on having at least 4 coloured/ black Africans and how that sometimes might hamper the performance on the given day
3. Multiple scandals that he was part of: ball tampering early in his career, Sandpaper gate, another tampering incident when he was a Sr player, Quinton-Warner drama in the changing room
4. Multiple high and low moments of his career: his longest test century, him saving the test with his solid defence, picking Philander in place of Abbott in finals and its impact on team morale, lastly multiple losses in crucial matches in world cups
5. Rapport he shared with AB, the leadership core group and their impact on SAF cricket

Faf seem to be a team man, a born Leader, someone with a lot of integrity and passion for the game, someone with lot of character coupled with his straighforwardness, helped the next generation captains to pick his brains. He had a limited stint as a captain, but he talks a lot about Leadership and its impact on SAF cricket: Smith - AB - himself, and the Leadership core group to bounce the ideas and take a collective decision.

The book, however could have covered how T20 and Franchise cricket had an impact on the game (not Faf's game), but on the game evolving. People who played between 2005 and 2018 must have experienced the flavour of with and without T20; Faf is one of those who played both the traditional way and adapted to the modern cricketing ways of scoring 350 runs in ODI regularly. Post T20, the game dynamics had changed a lot, players started optimising of power hitting, focus on Test shifting and calendar year having Test, T20 and ODI. The adaptability part is something I'd expect from AB, Faf, Dhoni, Rohit - the list that has played all 3 formats consistently for a long period.

Given I had limited understanding of SAF cricket, their policy towards coloured/ black Africans, I couldn't criticise anything from factuality point of view. It's a breezy read, if you're a neutral person.

[Jagriti Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Faf : Through Fire' is a brilliant sports autobiography and a fascinating read. Du Plessis talks candidly about his achievements, struggles and failures in this book. His journey to become a world renowned cricketer was an uphill climb and getting to know the man behind that immense fame in his own words was nothing short of a wonderful experience. It doesn't get too much into technicalities and that's why it was way more enjoyable than I had expected.

While talking about the major controversies in his career, Du Plessis certainly wasn't mincing his words. 2015 world cup selection controversy and South Africa's disappointing world cup performances - his autobiography gives a unique, behind the scene perspective into all of these and more. Reasons behind his retirement from international cricket has also been covered extensively.

He turned his stint in IPL into a learning experience and I loved that for him. Working under various managements and leaderships helped him grow into a great leader himself. He takes you through his mindset inside the field while playing some of his greatest and disappointing innings. The locker room stories are equally compelling. It's truly a must read for cricket fans.

All in all, 'Faf :Through Fire' is honest, insightful and, at times, vulnerable account of a man who defied all odds through hard work and determination. He is protea fire personified. What I didn't like about this book was how repetitive it could get sometimes. Still, highly recommended from my side!

[Jainand Gurjar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book: Faf Through Fire
Author: Faf Du Plessis
Genre: Autobiography
Publisher: Penguin eBury Press

With the ongoing Cricket World Cup and the craze of the sport, I started reading the autobiography of one of the cricketers whose presence on the ground was cherished by cricket lovers. Faf Du Plessis is a name that every cricket fan is aware of. But what we all have seen was only a side of him, a side of him on the cricket ground. But there's a lot more than that, and this book tells that story.

Faf Through Fire by Faf Du Plessis is this account from his childhood days to playing the domestic and then for the Proteas, and his long journey from debuting in ODIs to Tests, playing in IPL, World Cup, and experience with Dhoni, CSK, and RCB!

But what appealed to me the most was his relationship dynamics with his parents and his wife- Imari and how much impact they have in his personality. He describes his relationship with AB de Villiers and other players in detail as well, in a very raw and honest way.

It showed how team leadership, management, and environment are vital for the players, and provides a detailed perspective about it through his experiences.

The book shows the psychological aspects of the player and how it impacts and gets impacted by the personal life and the people around us. Although the book gets a little repetitive at times and loses the grip, it was overall an interesting read, that keeps hooked till the end.

[Vijay Ravisankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4. I'm a bit on the fence with this book. It's a lot different from typical sports autobiographies/biographies one might read. The book completely, from start to end talks about Faf's career but mainly on his leadership and as a human being more than anything on cricket, records etc. For most of the book, I was able to understand his sentiment but the last 20-30%, as he was being phased out of the national team, whether intentionally or not, the tone sounds a bit sour which could be based on how the CSA treated him and lots of other cricketers from the national team but still, the tone of the book made it a bit hard to read and almost sounded too self-righteous. Especially, there is a small portion on Quinton De Kock becoming the captain and almost a big portion of it sounded like he wasn't good enough to be captain, as much as Faf wanted to help, it also sounded like he didn't want to and put blame on Quinny and Mark. Like I said earlier, I understand the frustration and I would have liked if he was actually pissed or something but it was almost sounding as if he was the only one who took the moral high ground always. Great player, alright book !

[Mr S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but.....

As an avid cricket fan I found this book cliche abuzz word ridden. F2f repeats himself very often. It is 'heavy' book and interesting from the sports psychological point of view. I would like to have seen more results of matches. E.g. he describes just one game of the T20 against England and doesn't mention the score or the other games in the series. I found interesting the difficulties of bringing together a nation with the many different cultures and ethnicities.

[Dhruwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. It is painfully repetitive.
2. Faf tries hard to be as vulnerable and honest as he possibly can, which is good to see.
3. Learnt a lot about South African culture and terms like - "Lekker boys", 'transformation targets', 'Kolpak players', 'Protea fire/King Protea' etc
4. South African player resource drain is quite evident, and if not for Faf's love for representing South Africa, he could have been another KP.
5. 2015 WC, 2019 WC, and 2011 WC stories are interesting to read.
6. Imari and Faf make a good couple.

[Ramesh Ruthrasekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly, an autobiography could turn into one of the awesome books on leadership. Very relevant to the contemporary mindsets and relatability is high

The first half of the book has a language slump, and the constant cross referencing was annoying. The rich content makes up for this ignorable facet. The honesty of his narrations and reflections are remarkable and well balanced that they don't become too cringey. Faf could well be a great business coach in the corporate environment. Ubuntu is a big takeaway. Kudos Faf

[Roger Knocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard and soft skills firing at the same time

Very few leaders understand the importance of both hard and soft skills and how getting both of them firing at the same time can be a game changer. Most leaders only focus on hard skills. Faf provides numerous examples of how he used soft skills in very difficult situations. His ability and willingness to engage in tough conversations is unusual and sets him apart as a leader. I loved this aspect of the book.

[Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not your typical sports autobiography as it has an extensive focus on leadership, team & culture building. Numerous insights and critiques into the organisational structure and running of Cricket South Africa as well from a former Proteas captain who has all the credentials required for assessing such things. However, I found the style the book was written in to be too repetitive and I often wanted to skip a couple of sentences as I had already caught on to what he was trying to communicate.

[VIGNESH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous Faf!💛 The way he grew himself from scratch to one the best cricketers of this generation and also as successful captain. His story is really inspiring, and the way he challenged everyone, including CSA ,SACA, and the players to bring a healthy environment for his national team both as a captain and a player was awesome.💥 also, I felt really bad for how the CSA and other officials treated him during the final stage of his international career🥲. THE LEGEND!❤️ Fafy💪

[Adhithya Maheshwaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decadent feast of cricketing details which had analysis and reflection for soup , cricket knowledge for main course and popular scandal and controversy for desert. It Never gets better for a passionate outsider cum student of the game , than getting a first hand view from the inside guy , a successful international cricketer and captain.

[Philip Weyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and worthwhile read, Faf telling his story from childhood to 2021 with all the details in a very personal fashion. Quite a bit about psychology, what made and makes him tick. A number of cricket anecdotes, though would have liked more.

[Aprameya Hebbar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s great how much of an importance Faf has given to emphasising the mental and leadership values of the sport and its effects there over. I felt the writing style could have been much crisper, tighter and a more linear pattern of storytelling would have been a better choice.

[Shameer Ks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A remarkable title for cricket aficionados. Since South African cricket is involved, those who explore race and cricket will truly benefit.

[Chrissy du Toit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight. A must read.

[Abhishek Venugopal · Rating 4 out of 5]

such an interesting read

I think a very honest and open book, fully enjoyed the deep dive into leadership, mental and spiritual aspects that was encountered.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knew faf was a great leader. Now I know he is an amazing leader. Very candid and honest about playing for South Africa.

[Rathin Sanghavi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best cricket autobiography I’ve read. Wow.