'Didn't care if South Africa won or lost': Heinrich Klaasen breaks silence on shock international retirement

By Admin

09 Jun, 2025

South Africa’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen recently stunned the cricketing world by announcing his sudden retirement from international cricket. At just 33 years old, Klaasen’s decision left fans, teammates, and cricket analysts bewildered especially after a strong season in the IPL 2025 where he scored 487 runs for SunRisers Hyderabad at an impressive strike rate of 172.69.

A Quiet Exit from a Decorated Career

Klaasen, who represented the Proteas in 4 Tests, 60 ODIs, and 58 T20Is, amassed over 3,000 runs across formats. Known for his ability to dismantle spinners and power his way through the middle overs, Klaasen’s most memorable knock came against Australia, when he hammered 174 at SuperSport Park, Centurion. In ODIs alone, he tallied 2,141 runs, while in T20Is, he scored 1,000 runs at a strike rate of 141.84.

Despite his success on the field, Klaasen’s heart was no longer in the game.

"I Didn't Really Care Whether the Team Won or Lost"

In a candid interview with Rapport, Klaasen broke his silence, revealing the emotional and mental toll that led to his retirement. “I felt for a long time that I didn't really care about any of my performances and whether the team won or not. That’s the wrong place to be,” he admitted.

Klaasen revealed that he had once envisioned continuing until the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, two key events changed everything head coach Rob Walter’s exit and Klaasen’s omission from the new central contracts list. “We talked nicely, we planned everything nicely up to and including the World Cup in 2027. So when he finished as a coach, and the negotiations with CSA over contracts didn't go as planned, it made my decision a lot easier,” he said.

Emotional Instagram Farewell

Klaasen first made headlines earlier this year by retiring from Test cricket in 2024. His retirement from the white-ball formats came shortly after the IPL 2025 season. He took to Instagram to share a heartfelt note:

"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 also one that I have absolute peace with."

"To have played with the Proteas badge on my chest was and will always be the biggest honour in my career. I look forward to spending more time with my family as this decision will allow me to do so."

Looking Ahead

While Klaasen’s international career may have ended, he continues to be a sought-after T20 player in global leagues. His candidness about mental fatigue and lack of motivation adds another important voice to the ongoing conversation about player burnout and well-being in modern cricket.