South African-born wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk, who played nine Tests for New Zealand, has retired and will return to South Africa.

Kruger (35) will take up a full-time role with the cricket academy at the University of Pretoria.

‘While it always a tough decision, I feel the time is right to take on an opportunity outside of playing the game, working as Director of Cricket at Pretoria’s Academy,’ Van Wyk told www.blackcaps.co.nz.

‘I’m extremely privileged to have lived my dream as a professional cricketer for the past 17 years and I would like to thank my family and friends for all their love and support during this chapter. My proudest moment was representing New Zealand at Test level, and I’m eternally grateful and indebted to New Zealand for the opportunity it has provided me and my family.’

Van Wyk started his professional cricketing career in South Africa before moving to New Zealand in 2006, where his career spanned 10 years (four years with Canterbury and six years with Central Districts).

He made his Test debut against South Africa in Dunedin in March 2012 and played all his nine Tests in that same year.

He finished with 671 career dismissals (616 catches and 55 stumpings) and holds the Central Districts’ record for most dismissals in a season (40 in 2014/15), most dismissals in a match (10 in 2014/15), and most catches in a match (10 in 2014/15).

Van Wyk was also an accomplished batsman, scoring 6 734 first-class runs at an average 39.61, including seven centuries, with a highest score of 178 not out.