The lack of a template for a healthy relationship contributed to Du Plessis’ frequent indiscretions in his personal life. Du Plessis assigns significant importance to the captain’s relationship with the head coach of the team. Du Plessis would feel this way when he made his international debut for South Africa in January 2011, shortly after an important culture camp held at Hennops River in Centurion.

I have enjoyed and profited greatly from Faf's reflections and am inspired to take these insights into my personal, professional, and sporting life. 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.An interesting and worthwhile read, Faf telling his story from childhood to 2021 with all the details in a very personal fashion. 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. 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. 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. It’s quite possible that I was still part of Mark’s plans for the future, but he had an approach to leadership that didn’t include soft skills and relational interactions.

Du Plessis lays bare 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. Du Plessis implemented a system of feedback within the team, where he asked Eastwood to speak with players individually and get their views on how the leadership of the team could improve. Du Plessis chronicles his career in cricket through the lens of leadership, culture, and relationships. 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.Faf became captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL in 2022 and was captain of Joburg Super Kings in the first edition of the SA20 league in 2023.

Although Du Plessis was not part of the team present at the camp, the ideas revolving around team culture would build the foundation for his career as a player and captain. And I was one of a lot of people who felt betrayed and very dissapointed by his sudden retirement from international cricket.He was also disturbed to see players focused on their cell phones right after a loss to Australia because the first thirty minutes after a game, in Du Plessis’ view, are crucial for team players to connect with one another. This showcases his determination to succeed and fight it out to come out on top by taking the longer road towards cricket stardom. A great book from someone who has for a very long time been a shadow of bigger personalities on the playing field. It doesn't get too much into technicalities and that's why it was way more enjoyable than I had expected.