Former South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar will retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2026 season, bringing down the curtain on a 21-year career.

The 39-year-old, who joined Essex in 2024 following his international retirement, has made more than 500 appearances across his career, including 86 Tests. He scored 5,347 Test runs at 37.65, with 14 centuries and 23 fifties.

“I feel it’s the right time for me now,” Elgar said in a media release by Essex Cricket. “I’m not getting any younger, 39 years old, and I’ve got a lot of things going on back home with regards to a young but growing-up-very-quickly family. It’s the right time for me now to be present at home and be there for my partner and my kids. It’s been a great journey so far. It’s not done yet, but at the end of the season, I will be retiring.

“I was fortunate enough to represent my country for twelve years and then the responsibility of captaining [South Africa] - that’s one of the proudest moments of my career. If you look back at the journey of where I have come from, I don’t think many people would have given me a lot of hope of having a career [in cricket], let alone one that spans over two decades.

“There’s been a lot of proud moments during my time. Obviously, beating England at Lord’s as captain is one of them. That stands out quite profoundly, purely the way we played cricket and the style and brand in which we played it. The transitioning phase, we started as seventh in the World Rankings when I took over and when I ended, we were second.”

On his future, Elgar said he would ideally take a break from cricket to spend more time with his family.

“Looking ahead, I’d ideally have a sabbatical from cricket. It’s been a long journey, and I’ve been on the road for quite a long time. I’ve got my kids back home and I now feel it’s my duty to stand up and play for them. I can only picture that when I land [back home], it’s going to be all hands-on deck, but being a father is something I have really enjoyed.

“I’d hope people would remember me for playing the game hard and to win, someone who always took their cap off in defeat and shook the opposition’s hands with respect. Someone who was hardworking and hungry and would bleed and break bones for the team and do anything to win.”

Essex’s Director of Cricket Chris Silverwood praised Elgar’s “old school appetite” forscoring runs and finding ways to stay at the crease.

“Dean’s career is defined by longevity, resilience and deep commitment to cricket,” Silverwood said. “With a career spanning more than two decades, his reputation as a senior, experienced opening batter has made him an extremely important figure during his time at Essex, particularly in helping develop the Club’s younger players.

“For Essex, his time was more than simply scoring runs. We had a player with international experience at Test level, proven credentials and an old-school appetite for occupying the crease, coupled with a hunger for victory.

“I wish Dean nothing but the best for his retirement. It’s been an absolute pleasure to have had him in my team.”