JOHANNESBURG — In an unexpected turn of events, Heinrich Klaasen, the powerful South African wicketkeeper, declared his retirement from international cricket on Monday, choosing to dedicate more time to his family. Klaasen’s departure is a notable surprise, considering his significant role in South African cricket and his widespread influence in franchise leagues internationally. This announcement arrives just under a year after Klaasen emerged as South Africa’s leading scorer during their loss in the T20 World Cup final against India.
Reflecting on his decision, Klaasen shared, “Deciding the best course for my family and myself was not an easy task. It was a challenging decision, yet one I am at peace with,” as he expressed eagerness to embrace more family time. At 33, Klaasen has been a formidable presence in 122 games across various formats for South Africa. However, in April, he was notably absent from South Africa’s list of players with central contracts for 2025 and 2026, as discussions about his professional future were said to be ongoing at that time.
In the previous year, Klaasen had already stepped back from test cricket after participating in just four tests for his country. His departure marks the end of a remarkable chapter, as highlighted by Cricket South Africa’s chief executive, Pholetsi Moseki, who stated, “Heinrich has been an outstanding representative of South African cricket, impressing both on the field and off. His performances have brought joy to countless South Africans, and his influence will surely resonate with future generations.” Moseki extended gratitude for Klaasen’s years of contributions and wished him well in forthcoming endeavors.
Coincidentally, Klaasen’s retirement comes on the same day as another notable cricketer, Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, who also bid farewell to one-day international cricket.