Johannesburg: South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has officially retired from international cricket, bringing an end to a six-year career filled with explosive performances and unforgettable innings. The 32-year-old made the announcement on Instagram, stating that it was a difficult decision but one made with “absolute peace.”
🗣️ “Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people that changed my life… To have played with the Proteas badge on my chest was and will always be the biggest honour in my career.” – Klaasen
A Career of Fierce Hitting and Grit
- International Matches: 122
- ODI Runs: 2,141
- Highest Score: 174
- Average: 43.69
- Centuries/Fifties: 4/11
- T20I Runs: 1,000
- Highest Score: 81
- Strike Rate: 141.84
- Fifties: 5
- Test Matches: 4 (retired from Tests in January 2024)
Klaasen’s blistering 174 against Australia at SuperSport Park in 2023 remains one of the most iconic innings in recent ODI memory — the second-highest score by a No. 5 batter in the format.
Tournament Highlights
Klaasen was part of South Africa’s squads in:
- ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
- ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
- ICC Champions Trophy 2025
His whip-pulls and ferocious strokeplay made him a nightmare for spinners, particularly in the middle overs of limited-overs games.
Farewell and Gratitude
In his heartfelt post, Klaasen thanked:
- His family for constant support
- Coaches who “kept believing in me”
- Teammates and fans who stood by him through highs and lows
He concluded with a note of continued support for the national side:
“I will always be a big Proteas supporter.”
With Klaasen now stepping away from international duty, he is expected to continue his franchise cricket career, where he remains a sought-after T20 talent.