South Africa’s power hitter Klaasen announces retirement

Big-hitting South Africa wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from international cricket, adding that this decision will now allow him to spend more time with his family.

Klaasen had previously retired from Tests, where he made just four appearances, to focus on white-ball cricket commitments for South Africa, where his last international appearance for them came in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final defeat to New Zealand.

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

“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. To have played with the Proteas badge on my chest was and will always be the biggest honour in my career.

“I look forward to spending more time with my family as 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,” wrote Klaasen on his Instagram account on Monday.

Klaasen, 33, made his international debut in 2018 and went to play in 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is for South Africa, amassing 2141 and 1000 runs respectively across formats. While he smashed four centuries and 11 fifties in ODIs, Klaasen had five T20I half-centuries against his name.

Known for his belligerent six-hitting as a middle-order batter, Klaasen was also the member of South African team finishing runners-up in 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. “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 concluded.

Enoch Nkwe, South Africa’s Director of national teams and High Performance, said Klaasen had been transparent in communication with Cricket South Africa (CSA) in last few months, adding that he fully respects the keeper-batter’s decision.

“Heinrich has been a true match-winner for South Africa. He was a player capable of changing the course of a game in a matter of overs. His commitment and impact in the white-ball formats have been immense, and we thank him for his outstanding service to South African cricket.”

“He has been transparent with Cricket South Africa throughout the past few months, and we fully respect his decision to retire from international cricket. We wish him continued success in the next chapter of his journey,” said Nkwe in a statement.

With his international career over, Klaasen will now be visible on the T20 franchise circuit via deals with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket (MLC), Durban’s Super Giants in SA20 and Manchester Originals in The Hundred.

Agencies