AB de Villiers is commanding the cricket world's attention at the moment, and I'm not surprised. It's not because of the innings he played at the Wanderers a month ago, or the repeat performance at the SCG against the same opposition last week. It's been coming for years.

De Villiers makes World Cup history in Sydney

The old saying about 'overnight sensations take years to make' is true about AB. He's been producing incredible, record-breaking displays for many years, it's only now – with the focus and attention of the whole world – that people are really taking notice of his genius.

To be fair, he has upped the tempo a bit recently! But I can honestly say I am not surprised.

He could do things as a 21-year-old on international debut which nobody else could do. But the same applied to him at the age of about eight years onwards.

A record-breaking knock at the Wanderers

The only issue was to help him learn about the 'when and where.' He was capable of everything; he just didn't always understand what was required in a particular situation.

There was a turning point in 2008 when he was dismissed softly against England in the Lord's Test match, chipping a catch to mid-on. Graeme Smith and Mickey Arthur spoke frankly – and without any soft edges. They said the time had come to deliver, to deliver on his talent.

He made 174 in the next Test match at Headingley. It set up our series win, but more importantly, he learned how to manage his talent.

Celebrating a century at Headingley in 2008 // Getty Images

He has been managing his talent ever since. Some people may just be waking up to his genius now, but it has been there, on display, for many years.

He played a Test innings against Australia in Perth three years ago which was amongst the best I've ever seen, 169 with the last 70 or so runs coming at the same pace we've seen in ODI cricket recently.

For as long as I have known him, it was never about him. He was always confident, believed he could do anything, but it was never about him ahead of the team. He truly understood that principle, unlike many other young geniuses.

If he believed he could score 120 from 80 balls in a Test match, or ODI, it was because he thought he could win the game, not because he wanted to show off.

Three years ago, in a Test match against Australia in Adelaide, he scored 32 from 230 balls. In many ways that is as much of an achievement as his fast-scoring records.

It not only shows his variety of skills, but also his mental strength. When someone said: 'You can't block every ball. Play your natural game' his instinct was to say: 'Don't tell me what I can or can't do.'

So he did the opposite, and it worked. He saved the Test match with Faf du Plessis, and won the series in the next match.

De Villiers blasts a six in Perth in 2012 // Getty Images

There is no limit to what he can achieve as an individual. The only limit is the team's success, because he will only do what is necessary for the team to win.

In all the years I have known him, he has never expressed an interest in records. Apart from winning games, series and tournaments. I can't imagine that will ever change.

Even in the final few overs of an ODI when he is scoring at 30 an over, it is only because he wants to take the game away from the opposition.

He doesn't practise those outrageous sweep shots against the seamers. You can't. Apart from the danger, you need the adrenalin and imagination to be flowing to an extent that never happens during nets.

De Villiers sweeps a six at the SCG // Getty Images

He is very good at golf, too, which is irritating. It's the only thing I have a chance to beat him at.

I'm hoping we'll have some close games once he's finished with cricket. But I'm looking forward to watching the rest of his career on the cricket field.