Star South African batter retires from international cricket

South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a career that spanned across all three formats of the game.

The 33-year-old shared the news in an emotional social media post on Monday, describing the decision as “sad but peaceful.”

“It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket,” Klaasen wrote. 

“It took me a long time to decide what’s best for me and my family for the future. It was truly a very difficult decision but also one that I have absolute peace with,” he added. 

Reflecting on his journey, Klaasen said representing South Africa was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

"From the first day, it was the biggest privilege representing my country and it was everything that I have worked for and dreamed about as a young boy,” he further added.

He also took a moment to thank the people who shaped his career.

"I have made great friendships and relationships that I will treasure for life. Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people that changed my life, and to those people I can’t say thank you enough. My road to wearing the Proteas shirt was different than most and there were certain coaches in my career that kept believing in me - to them I will always be grateful," he further wrote. 

Klaasen revealed that the main reason behind his retirement was to dedicate more time to his family.

“I look forward to spending more time with my family, and this decision will allow me to do so. I will always be a big Proteas supporter and would like to thank everyone that supported me and my teammates during my career,” he concluded. 

Klaasen enjoyed a solid career in international cricket. In ODIs, he scored 2,141 runs in 60 matches at an impressive average of 43.69 and a strike rate of 117.05, with four centuries and 11 fifties to his name.

In T20 Internationals, he featured in 58 games, scoring 1,000 runs at a brisk strike rate of 141.84, including five half-centuries.

He also played four Test matches, though with limited success, scoring 104 runs at an average of 13.00.

Klaasen last wore the Proteas jersey in March 2025 during the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against New Zealand in Lahore, where he managed just three runs before being dismissed. South Africa eventually lost that match by 50 runs.