Gary Kirsten, South Africa's highest ever Test run-scorer, has announced his retirement from international cricket at the end of the current tour of New Zealand.
Kirsten, who will play his 100th Test this week after scoring his 21st century in the first Test against New Zealand, said it was "a sad and emotional moment".
"I have been extremely fortunate to have the privilege of playing for my country for so long. It has always been a massive honour to play for South Africa and I have enjoyed every moment of my career," he said in a statement on the United Cricket Board (UCB) of South Africa website (cricket.co.za).
He added: "I was lucky enough to play with and against some wonderful cricketers, and I take many great memories with me."
Kirsten, 36, will formally retire after the third and final Test of the New Zealand tour which is due to end on March 30. He has not made a decision on whether to quit domestic first-class cricket.
He had been expected to retire after last year's tour of England but he was persuaded by South African officials to play on.
"My wife Deborah and I had made a decision that when our first child arrived I would retire, but with Joshua now nearly four months old it has overlapped a little," he explained.
{{/usCountry}}"My wife Deborah and I had made a decision that when our first child arrived I would retire, but with Joshua now nearly four months old it has overlapped a little," he explained.
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