Batsman Rassie van der Dussen is the oldest player in South Africa’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The 15-man squad includes the 35-year-old van der Dussen and four other players who are 34 years or older.
“It’s definitely a possibility that it’s my last International Cricket Council tournament,” said van der Dussen, who hit a half-century in South Africa’s first match of this year’s Champions Trophy against Afghanistan.
“I’m not saying that with any preconceived ideas that I’ll call time on it, or management will call time on my career. It’s just the reality. I’m not blind to the possibility that if I don’t perform that someone won’t be there to take my place.
“I certainly don’t expect any preferential treatment because I think in a healthy environment, guys push each other organically and that pushes everyone to be better.”
Whether van der Dussen’s international career continues beyond the Champions Trophy and into the 2027 Cricket World Cup remains in the balance.
“For me I always wanted to get to the Champions Trophy, which is now, and then we’ll reassess after that. My national contract is coming up at the end of April,” he added.
“I would suspect that, from a management point of view, your 2027 World Cup side has to start playing more regularly and start playing together.
“But there’s a lot of leagues happening in the next few months and everyone won’t be available all the time, so even if it’s in a transitional sort of role, I’ll definitely commit to that. Being here is for me the ultimate thing. Leagues are nice, but that’s not my be-all and end-all.”
Van der Dussen has played in several domestic T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League and Pakistan Super League.
“The last year or two of my career, I can’t see myself playing any more red-ball cricket. I did have a county offer thrown my way, which I declined,” said van der Dussen.
“I’ve played in a few leagues and done well. Even leagues like T10 have taken my game forward. That’s why I’m feeling now that I’m still hungry and I’m still playing well.”