Ex-RR star retires from international cricket despite 50.13 ODI average and 2,657 ODI runs after central contract snub

Rassie van der Dussen has officially retired from international cricket at the age of 37, bringing an end to a remarkable career just days after being omitted from Cricket South Africa’s list of centrally contracted players. The top order batter, who maintained an impressive ODI average of just over 50, played his final international match in August 2025.

Full Retirement Statement

Here’s his full statement:

"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 reward you in the most incredible way. To have played for my country has been the greatest honour of my life.The journey has paved with the years of sacrifice but the privilege of representing South Africa was worth every moment.Growing up in a household of four brothers - Adriaan, Nico, CE and myself - the Proteas badge and breathed the game together, and to be the one to carry our family name onto the international stage was responsibility I was proud to embrace. I am merely a product of my environment, and of years of camaraderie, love, and pushing of greatness.I owe a massive debt of gratitude to the Lions, and specifically to Lions current and former CEO's Jono Leaf-Wright and Greg Fredericks.Your unwavering backing and support over the years provided the foundation upon which my international career was built. You believed in me when the road was long, and for that, I will always be grateful.Thank you to Cricket South Africa, Enoch Nkwe, and all the Proteas coaches and managers throughout the years for affording me the platform to wear the Proteas jersey.To my friend, Chris Cardoso; we have been friends for 22 years, and for 18 of those, you have been my agent and manager. More than that, you have been my greatest confidant. Thank you for guiding me, for advising me, and for standing squarely in my corner at every single decision-making intersection of my career. Your loyalty and wisdom have been my compass through it all.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.To the people of South Africa and the fans; thank you. There is no feeling quite the hearing "MaThousand" called out in the streets, or the spine-tingling experience of walking out to bat at a packed Wanderers Stadium to the deafening roar of Fofofpolisiekar's Antibiotika. These moments of connection is difficult to describe, and those emotions will stay with me forever.To my teammates, coaches, mentors, and friends; thank you for making me part of this story. Cricket has given me everything, and in many ways, I owe it my life."

Career Overview and Final Appearance

Van der Dussen made his international debut across formats between 2018 and 2019, quickly establishing himself as a dependable figure in South Africa’s batting line up. His final outing for the Proteas came during the T20I series against Australia in August 2025, where he signed off with an unbeaten 38.

Rassie van der Dussen’s Career in Numbers

In Test cricket, he featured in 18 matches, scoring 905 runs at an average of 30.16, including six half centuries.

In ODIs, he was at his most consistent, amassing 2,657 runs from 65 innings at an average of 50.13. His record includes six centuries and 17 fifties.

In T20 Internationals, he scored 1,406 runs at an average of 33.47 with a strike rate of 128.75. He also registered 10 centuries in the format.

Van der Dussen leaves behind a legacy of consistency and resilience, particularly in the ODI format, where he was one of South Africa’s most reliable performers in recent years.

Click here to read article