Heinrich Klaasen, South African Batter, Announces Surprise Retirement from International Cricket at 33: 'It’s a Sad Day'

Heinrich Klaasen, the big-hitting South African batter known for his aggressive style at the crease, has decided to retire from international cricket at 34. The news has surprised many fans. Over the course of his career, Klaasen wore the Proteas jersey in four Tests, 60 ODIs, and 58 T20Is.
While his decision has caught many off guard, Klaasen says it’s something he’s thought about deeply. His announcement came just hours after Australia’s Glenn Maxwell retired from ODI cricket.
Klaasen had already stepped away from Test cricket last year, and now brings down the curtain on what has been a seven-year journey with the Proteas. He made his ODI and T20I debuts in 2018 and quickly built a reputation as one of the most dangerous white-ball batters of his generation.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Klaasen wrote:
"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. It was truly a very difficult decision, but one that I have absolute peace with. From the first day, it was the biggest privilege representing my country — it was everything I dreamed of as a young boy."
He added that he’s made friendships and memories he’ll treasure for life and thanked the coaches who believed in him along the way.
In ODIs, Klaasen has left a strong legacy in white-ball cricket, particularly. He scored over 2,100 runs at a solid average just shy of 44, often playing a steady and reliable role in the middle order. One of his standout moments came in 2023, when he tore apart the Australian bowling attack with a stunning 174 at his home ground, SuperSport Park — marking the second-highest score ever by a number five in ODI cricket.
In T20Is, he notched up over 1,000 runs at a strike rate of 141.84, earning a reputation for his fearless hitting and dominance against spin — traits that made him a key figure in South Africa’s limited-overs setup.
"To have played with the Proteas badge on my chest was — and will always be — the greatest honour of my career," Klaasen said. "Now, I look forward to spending more time with my family. I’ll always be a proud Proteas supporter and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who supported me and my teammates over the years."