Geoff Toyana pays tribute to Rassie van der Dussen after international retirement

The 37-year-old retired from international cricket after 18 Test matches, 71 ODIs and 57 T20 Internationals. 

He leaves the big stage averaging over 50 in the 50-over format, a feat only bettered by the great AB de Villiers in men’s cricket for South Africa. 

Toyana relived his journey with van der Dussen at franchise level where they won trophies together at the Wanderers.

"Yeah serious career for Rassie, I mean he started with me when he was coming from Potch [Potchefstroom]. He's a Pretoria boy but he went to play in Potch and then we picked him up from Potch and then he made his debut for Lions in a T20 final, a T20 final that we won,” Toyana said.

“What a humble person and very, very great player. He's had a serious international career, to average 50 in 50 over cricket at international level, I think it's only him and Ab De Villiers who are ending their careers with an average of 50. 

“A great human being, a great people's person, you know like one of us, his nickname is MaThousand, Mathawa, he enjoys those sorts of things. Great career and all the best to him moving forward."

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Toyana has overseen the careers of many cricket stars like Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, and Kagiso Rabada, all of whom went on to represent South Africa at the highest level. 

He says van der Dussen is one of those he still keeps in touch with to talk about the game from time to time.

"And also with Rassie to this day, we still keep in touch. We touch base still with him which for me shows me that as a coach you can have life long connections with people,” he added.

“A guy like Rassie, he's one of those, he reaches out like now and then, wants to chat, ‘Just have a look at my head, am I, you know? Tell me what you see’ and when I'm watching I'll guide him here and there and tell him, yes, he's doing the right thing. 

“I mean serious, serious career, I'm very proud of him, where he comes from and what he achieved as well."