South Africa’s mainstay in the top order will not wear the national colours anymore as Rassie van der Dussen retires from international cricket in a career that lasted less than a decade.
The 37-year-old was previously on a hybrid central contract with Cricket South Africa (CSA) but was not handed a contract for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Furthermore, the batter’s last appearance in international cricket was the 3rd T20 against Australia in Cairns in August 2025.
Rassie van der Dussen retires: A modern-day great in ODIs
Van der Dussen played 18 Tests, 71 ODIs, and 57 T20Is for South Africa between October 2018 and August 2025, finishing with their second-highest ODI average overall (50.13), behind AB de Villiers. Rassie made his international debut in a T20 against Zimbabwe in 2018, before he found a place in the ODI side, where he made an immediate impact by scoring a calm and composed 93 against Pakistan.
It was also the ODI format where he made a name for himself and, in a short period, established himself as one of the best 50-over batters to have represented South Africa. His numbers read: 2,657 runs in 71 matches, including 6 centuries and 17 fifties. Whereas, in T20s, he featured in 57 games and scored 1,406 at a strike rate of 128.76.
Even in what was a disastrous 2019 World Cup campaign for the South African’s, Rassie’s performance stood out. He took it a notch higher and scored two centuries, including a remarkable 133 against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup. In the 2025 Champions Trophy, he scored a hat-trick of half-centuries and was the side’s leading run scorer, which saw them knocked out in the semi-final.
The promise that couldn’t be fulfilled in test Cricket
However, it was test cricket, where the top-order batter was unable to make a name for himself, despite getting off to a promising start, where he scored three half-centuries in his first four Tests and held together South Africa’s line-up during a period of transition. He went on to play 14 more Tests, with three more fifties (highest of 98), but did not score a Test hundred.
Rassie van der Dussen retires: what did he say?
In a post on X on Thursday, van der Dussen wrote: “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.” He further said, “This journey has been paved with years of sacrifice but the privilege of representing South Africa was worth every moment.”
He thanked administrators at his domestic team, the Lions, coaches at CSA, his agent Chris Cardoso, and his wife, Lara, as well as the “people of South Africa and the fans.” He offered advice to young players to “dream big and give absolutely everything you have to achieve your dreams.” He signed off with an emotional, “I love South Africa, and I love cricket.” Enoch Nkwe, current director of the national teams, who was also the 37-year-old Lions’ coach, said, “He truly embodied what it meant to be a Protea. He put the team first and always supported those around him. We thank him for everything he has contributed to the badge.”
Rassie van der Dussen retires: What lies next for him
The veteran batter will still play for the Lions and will be available to take part in leagues around the world.
Rassie van der Dussen retires but will likely continue to be involved in the game as a senior player and potentially in a mentoring or coaching role in the future.
