The 30-year-old South African captain needed just 31 balls to reach 100 -- five balls fewer than Corey Anderson's hundred for New Zealand against the West Indies in 2013/14.
De Villiers made 149 off 44 balls. His innings included 16 sixes, which equalled the record set by Rohit Sharma on the way to a score of 209 for India against Australia in Bangalore in 2013/14.
It was an astonishing display of power hitting mixed with finesse.
Here are some of the reaction to De Villiers’s smashing the fastest ever one-day century.
De Villiers' batting partner Hashim Amla, who hit 153 not out:
"He said he was going to have a look for one over but hit his first six balls for 24. He is an amazing player."
Former England captain Bob Willis: "AB de Villiers' record ODI hundred off 31 balls could make him the best batsman of all time.
"I’ve been saying for the last 30 years that Viv Richards has to be the best batsman of all time -- even better than Sir Don Bradman in my book -- but I’m going to have to reassess because this guy is something extraordinary."
Full detail of His Best Inning of the World:
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After coming to the wicket following a massive 247-run opening stand between Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw, De Villiers compounded the tourists' misery.
He reached his half-century in a record-breaking 16 balls - but his second 50 came up one ball quicker, and he reached the century mark by blasting a four and two sixes off consecutive balls before celebrating with yet another six.
The fun did not stop there: De Villiers continued plundering sixes and had a chance to reach 150 as he got to 149 off 42 balls.
But his magic touch deserted him at last: First he swung and missed at an Andre Russell ball in the 50th over, then was caught off he very next delivery as he failed to clear Jonathan Carter at deep extra cover.
[ANALYSIS: De Villiers: Cricket's most skilful player?]
Described by retired Australian stumper Adam Gilchrist as the "most valuable cricketer on the planet" earlier this week, de Villiers blasted 16 sixes and nine fours in his blistering 44-ball knock of 149, bettering New Zealander Corey Anderson's 36-ball century against West Indies last year.
The 30-year-old right-hander went down on his knees and slog-swept Jason Holder over deep mid-wicket for his 10th six to bring up his century before raising his bat and taking off his helmet with a broad smile on his face.
Coming out to bat after a 247-run opening stand between Amla (153 not out) and Rilee Rossouw (128), de Villiers set a new record for the fastest half-century as well.
Match scorecard and live commentary
He reached the milestone in 16 balls, improving the previous best mark of Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya against Pakistan in 1996 by a delivery.
Known for his improvisation, the Proteas ODI captain manufactured big shots and cleared the boundary at will, equaling the world record for 16 sixes in an ODI innings.
He was eventually out in the final over of the innings, one run away from shattering the record for fastest 150, currently held by Australian Shane Watson who reached the mark in 83 balls against Bangladesh.
"He said he was going to have a look for one over but hit his first six balls for 24. He is an amazing player," Amla said about De Villiers, who ripped apart the West Indian attack after coming to the crease in the 39th over.
Rossouw struck his maiden ODI century with a relatively sedate 128 from 115 deliveries, while Amla registered his highest ODI score from 142 balls.
South Africa beat their previous highest 50-over score of 438 at the same ground against Australia in 2006.
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