Pierre de Bruyn has announced his retirement from professional cricket after 15 years of playing at the highest domestic level.
De Bruyn began his career at Northern Transvaal and also played for Easterns under the old provincial system. Following the introduction of the professional franchises he was contracted to the Titans for a number of years and finished his career in Durban with the Dolphins. He was also at the National Academy and represented South Africa at the Hong Kong Sixes.
De Bruyn scored 4 637 runs at an average of 37.09 with the bat in four-day cricket and took 108 wickets at 29.63 in this format. In the limited overs format be averaged 29.85 and took 60 wickets at 38.11.
De Bruyn developed the rare ability of being able to bat, bowl and keep wicket in the same match in the Twenty20 format.
"Pierre has given 15 years of service to professional cricket in South Africa and he epitomised the fighting spirit that people love to see in our sportsmen", said Tony Irish, CEO of the South African Cricketers' Association (Saca).
De Bruyn was recently named as one of the players released before the end of the season by the Nashua Dolphins.
"Pierre wasn't actually amongst that group of players and its unfortunate that it was interpreted that way", said Jesse Chellan, CEO of the Dolphins franchise. "He has been a good servant to the Nashua Dolphins and to KZN Cricket and we wish him well in his retirement".
De Bruyn said: "I've really enjoyed my life as a professional cricketer and feel very privileged to have lived this for so long. I want to thank the teams I've played for, the players I've played with and the people who have supported me in my career. I'm lucky that I will be able to use my experience gained as a professional cricketer in my new career".
De Bruyn will take up a position as Director of Cricket at the University of Pretoria. - Sapa