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'I am in the best form of my life': ABdV

Proteas legend feels he's hitting them as well as ever ahead of Australia's upcoming Test tour of the Rainbow Nation

AB de Villiers has issued an ominous message to the cricketing world ahead of Australia's Test tour of South Africa, with the batting maestro declaring he's in the best form of his life.

The 33-year-old has made a successful return to the Test arena this summer after spending nearly 24 months away from the longest format due to injury and a self-imposed break.

There have been few signs of rust in his three Tests back, notching a half-century against Zimbabwe last month before posting 200 runs at 50 in the Proteas' first two Tests against India.

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"I feel like I am in the best form of my life right now," de Villiers said after South Africa's second Test win over India at Centurion.

"I have touched on it earlier, that I am never guaranteed results, never guaranteed five hundreds in a row. I could get five ducks in a row but I am happy where I am at. 

"I am playing well and I am doing my preparation well and I am meeting the ball well, it is just up to the day to take care of itself.

"So I don't think like that and I feel at the best phase of my life right now."

De Villiers' assertion will no doubt be noted by Australia, who kick off their four-Test tour of South Africa in Durban on March 1.

The series looms as an intriguing gauge of where Steve Smith's side is at after their comprehensive 4-0 Magellan Ashes series triumph over England at home.

Having a fit de Villiers will be a major boost for the Proteas after they defeated Australia 2-1 away from home without him last summer.

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"I am feeling in a good space and the energy is good and my body is feeling right at the moment," the right-hander explained. 

"I do have niggles but that is part of Test cricket. You never get up feeling a hundred per cent. 

"The back is still there, the ankles and knees, everything is hurting at times but to be playing the ultimate form of the game again, it has been a great challenge."

Having ceded the Test captaincy to Faf du Plessis during his absence, de Villiers said he's found a good balance of knowing when to provide advice and when to withhold input for his successor.

And with Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar having also captained at Test level, de Villiers says there's a determination among the side's leaders to take the team to new heights.

"There is a great group of senior players at the moment," said de Villiers. "Guys who have the good hearts and the right intentions to take this team to higher levels and to newer grounds. 

"Faf has been leading the side well, there is confidence as well, and it is easy to fit in as the senior player because I was captain not long ago and I know what the captain needs from his senior players.

"The kind of energy you need and the kind of advice you need at times and also sometimes also to get out of the captain's space. 

"I understand that's natural and understand all of us have been leaders in the past and I think we really work together well as a team."