South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 33, bringing an end to a seven-year career with the Proteas. The announcement was made on June 2, 2025, via his official Instagram account . Klaasen debuted in 2018 and quickly established himself as a formidable presence in limited-overs cricket. In ODIs, he played 60 matches, scoring 2,141 runs at an average of 43.69, including four centuries. His highest score, a blistering 174 against Australia in 2023, stands as the second-highest ODI score by a number five batter . In T20 Internationals, he amassed 1,000 runs in 58 matches, boasting a strike rate of 141.84. He also featured in four Test matches before retiring from red-ball cricket in January 2024 . In his retirement statement, Klaasen expressed the difficulty of his decision, citing the desire to spend more time with his family. He stated, "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 also one that I have absolute peace with" . Klaasen's departure means he will not be part of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which South Africa is set to co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia. His absence will be felt in the Proteas' middle order, where his aggressive batting and experience have been invaluable. Despite stepping away from international duties, Klaasen is expected to continue his involvement in domestic and franchise cricket, where he remains a sought-after player for his explosive batting and wicketkeeping skills.