South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen has retired from international cricket to spend more time with family. The wicketkeeper-batter played 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is since 2018, known for his aggressive batting. His final game was in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final.
South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a distinguished yet modest career in national colours. The 33-year-old took to Instagram on Monday to reveal his decision, stating that it will allow him to spend more time with his family.
Klaasen, who made his international debut in 2018, featured in 60 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 58 T20 Internationals (T20Is), scoring 2,141 runs in ODIs and 1,000 runs in the shortest format. A powerful middle-order batter known for his aggressive six-hitting ability, Klaasen registered four centuries and 11 fifties in ODIs, along with five half-centuries in T20Is. Despite retiring from Test cricket earlier in his career after only four appearances, he remained a valuable asset in South Africa’s white-ball squads.
Klaasen’s final appearance for the national team came in the semi-final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where South Africa suffered a defeat to New Zealand. He was also a part of the team that finished as runners-up in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, underlining his impact in high-stakes tournaments.
“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,” wrote Klaasen. “It was truly a very difficult decision but also one that I have absolute peace with.”
In his emotional farewell, Klaasen spoke of the immense pride he felt donning the Proteas badge. “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.”
Klaasen also expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, and supporters. “Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people that changed my life. To those people, I can’t say thank you enough.”
While Klaasen steps away from the international stage, he hinted that his playing career isn’t over entirely—he is expected to continue participating in domestic and franchise cricket. As he closes the chapter on his international journey, fans and teammates alike are left with fond memories of his explosive batting and unwavering commitment to the Proteas.
