Rassie van der Dussen announces retirement from international cricket

South Africa top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished career that spanned across all three formats for the Proteas.

The 37-year-old confirmed his decision on Thursday morning, expressing gratitude for his time representing South Africa, while stating that he will continue to play domestic and franchise cricket.

Van der Dussen, who had been on a hybrid central contract with Cricket South Africa (CSA), was not retained for the 2026-27 season and had not featured for the national side in the past seven months.

In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, he described his journey with the Proteas jersey as the pinnacle of his career.

“To wear the Proteas jersey is a feat that demands a level of resilience and dedication that both tests and rewards you in the most incredible way,” he wrote. “To have played for my country has been the greatest honour of my life.”

 

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A post shared by Rassie van der Dussen (@rassie72)

He also thanked his coaches, teammates, management staff, agent Chris Cardoso, and his wife Lara, while extending appreciation to fans across South Africa.

Encouraging young cricketers, he urged them to “dream big and give absolutely everything you have to achieve your dreams,” before signing off emotionally: “I love South Africa, and I love cricket.”

Across formats, Rassie van der Dussen leaves behind an impressive record. Between 2018 and 2025, he played 18 Tests, 71 One-Day Internationals and 57 T20 Internationals.

His greatest impact came in ODI cricket, where he established himself as one of South Africa’s most reliable batters. He finished with an exceptional average of 50.13, the second-highest in South Africa’s ODI history behind only AB de Villiers.

In the 50-over format, he scored six centuries and 17 half-centuries, including a remarkable start to his career with five fifties in his first nine matches in 2019.

In Tests, he accumulated 905 runs at an average of 30.16, including six half-centuries, while in T20 internationals, he scored 1,406 runs at an average of 33.47 and a strike rate of 128.75.