South Africa white-ball stalwart Rassie van der Dussen has announced that he is stepping away from international cricket. The 35-year-old’s decision marks the conclusion of a career that made him one of the Proteas’ most dependable run-makers across formats, particularly when South Africa needed steady batting in the middle overs.
Van der Dussen revealed the news through social media, speaking with pride about what it meant to represent his country. “With a proud heart and a deep sense of gratitude, I announce my retirement from international cricket. Wearing the Proteas jersey is a challenge that calls for resilience and commitment—qualities that, through both Tests and beyond, reward you in the most remarkable way. Playing for my country has been the greatest honour of my life. This path has been built through years of sacrifice, but the privilege of representing South Africa was worth every moment,” he said.
His international journey began in T20 cricket, with his T20I debut coming at the age of 29 against Zimbabwe. That opportunity followed a strong run in domestic and franchise T20 competitions, where his ability to bat through pressure helped him earn a sustained place in South Africa’s plans.
Across formats, van der Dussen went on to play 18 Tests after making his debut against England in 2019. Yet it was the one-day arena where he made the biggest impact, becoming a central presence in South Africa’s batting order and a key contributor during their 2019 World Cup campaign. Over 71 ODI appearances, he compiled 2,657 runs at an average above 50, finishing second only to AB de Villiers among South African batters in ODI runs during that span.
In total, van der Dussen’s international record reads: 905 Test runs from 18 matches, including six half-centuries; 2,657 ODI runs from 71 games, featuring six hundreds and 17 fifties; and 1,406 T20I runs from 57 matches, with ten scores of fifty or more. While his international career is now over, his cricket journey is set to continue at the domestic level.
Even after retiring from international cricket, he plans to keep playing for the Lions and remain involved in the development of younger players. “My time in a Proteas shirt has come to an end, but my journey is not over. I will continue to play for my beloved Lions, and I’m determined to give something back to this great game by helping and mentoring the next generation of South African cricketers. I love South Africa, and I love cricket. Thank you for everything,” he added.
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