South Africa’s Theunis de Bruyn announces shock international retirement

South Africa’s Theunis de Bruyn, who played 13 Tests for the Proteas and represented the country as recently as December, in the Boxing Day Test against Australia, has announced a shock international retirement at the age of 30. 

De Bruyn was most recently playing in the SA20, where he captained Pretoria Capitals in the semi-final (among other games) in the absence of incumbent skipper Wayne Parnell.

The 30-year-old announced his retirement through an official statement posted on the Titans website.

"I've been fortunate to represent my country at the highest level of cricket and that's been the proudest moment of my career," he said in a statement on the Titans' official website.

"The bonds I've formed, lessons I've learnt, skills I've developed and my growth as a human being would not have been possible without the experience of playing international cricket.

"I've lived a childhood dream, shared dressing rooms with my hero's and played cricket at some of the world's most iconic venues. And I can't say thank you enough for the opportunities I've got through this game.

"Looking back at everything that I've achieved, it is time I say goodbye to international cricket and focus on the next chapter."

De Bruyn becomes the second big name in South Africa to announce an unexpected retirement in as many months, with Dwaine Pretorius retiring from international cricket in January. 

A gifted stroke-maker aggressive by nature, de Bruyn made his Test debut in 2017 on the back of two stunning years in domestic cricket, amassing 1,828 runs @ 52.23 across 2015 and 2016. 

The right-hander had a torrid start to his career, averaging 14.44 across his first five Tests, but made a name for himself through a fighting fourth-innings ton against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The ton, many thought, would prove to be a turning point but unfortunately it didn’t, as he went on to post no more fifties in the following 13 innings, eventually finishing with a Test average of 19.50. 

At the MCG against Australia, de Bruyn, in fact, made his Test comeback following a three-year hiatus. He posted scores of 12 & 28 before flying back home for the birth of his child.