“It’s a sad day for me as…”: South African star Heinrich Klaasen calls it quits from international cricket

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South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a celebrated career for one of the world’s most dynamic white-ball players. The 33-year-old made the emotional announcement on June 2, 2025, expressing his sadness but also gratitude for his journey in the national colours.

Klaasen, who has been a mainstay in South Africa’s limited-overs sides and a standout performer in global T20 leagues, said in his statement, “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.”

The decision comes shortly after Klaasen was left out of Cricket South Africa’s central contract list for the upcoming year, fuelling speculation about his future in the national setup. He had already retired from Test cricket in early 2024 to focus on white-ball formats and franchise leagues, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and pursue new challenges.

Klaasen’s international career was defined by explosive batting displays, particularly in white-ball cricket, where he played pivotal roles in South Africa’s campaigns, including a memorable performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup. He also enjoyed success in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other global T20 competitions.

Reflecting on his journey, Klaasen remarked, “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.

“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.”

Also READ: “I don’t think I’m going to make that”: Glenn Maxwell retires from ODI cricket after a memorable career

A post shared by Heinrich Klaasen (@heinie45)

Klaasen’s retirement marks the end of an era for South African cricket, as the team loses another experienced campaigner amid a broader trend of players opting for franchise opportunities over international commitments. His presence, both behind the stumps and with the bat, will be missed by teammates and fans.

Also READ: IPL 2025 – Heinrich Klaasen shares heartfelt message for Kavya Maran & Co. after record-breaking century for Sunrisers Hyderabad