Rassie van der Dussen has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a consistent run with the South Africa. The decision follows his omission from Cricket South Africa’s central contract list, effectively signalling the close of his international chapter.
The 37-year-old last featured in the Champions Trophy against New Zealand in Lahore, where he scored 69 in a losing cause as South Africa fell short of a 363-run chase. Taking to social media to confirm his decision, van der Dussen reflected on his journey and thanked those who supported him throughout his career.
“It is with a proud heart and a profound sense of gratitude that I announce my retirement from International Cricket. 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. To have played for my Country has been the greatest honour of my life.”
“This journey has been paved with years of sacrifice, but the privilege of representing South Africa was worth every moment.”
“To my wife, Lara; you have been by my side every single step of the way. You have ridden the waves of incredible highs and difficult lows with empathy, grace and strength, and you have been my biggest cheerleader, whom I could not have done this without,” he added.
RASSIE VAN DER DUSSEN’S CAREER IN NUMBERS
Van der Dussen made his international debut in 2018 against Zimbabwe at the age of 29 and went on to represent South Africa across all three formats until 2025. Despite a relatively late start, he built a reputation as a dependable middle-order batter, particularly in white-ball cricket.
He played 18 Tests, scoring 905 runs at an average of 30.16, with six half-centuries. While he showed glimpses of solidity in the format, he was unable to cement a long-term place in the red-ball side, with his final appearance coming against Australia at the Gabba in December 2022.
In ODI cricket, van der Dussen was at his most effective. He featured in 71 matches, scoring 2657 runs at an average of 50.13, including six centuries and 17 fifties. He was a key part of South Africa’s batting unit, often anchoring innings under pressure and featuring in the ODI World Cups in 2019 and 2023. He also captained the side in one ODI in 2024.
In T20Is, he played 57 matches, scoring 1406 runs at an average of 33.47 and a strike rate of 128.75, with 10 half-centuries. His ability to balance stability with controlled aggression made him a valuable asset in the format.
Across formats, he accumulated 4,968 international runs, contributing significantly during a transitional phase for South African cricket. He also had a brief stint in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals, though with limited success.
While his international career has come to a close, van der Dussen indicated that he will continue to remain involved in the game through domestic cricket and mentoring, signing off after more than seven years at the highest level.
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