SA stalwart Heino Kuhn hangs up his gloves, joins Netherlands coaching staff

Former Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Heino Kuhn has called time on a cricketing career of 18 years and will take up the role of assistant coach with the Netherlands team.

A stalwart of South African domestic cricket and a great servant of the local game, Kuhn announced his retirement following the drawn CSA 4-Day Challenge match against Western Province in Potchefstroom.

The 38-year-old enjoyed 13 trophy-laden seasons at the Titans before taking over the reins as captain of the North West Dragons in 2021.

In 2009, Kuhn made his T20 International debut for the Proteas against England at his home ground of Centurion.

Kuhn couldn't quite cement his place in the Proteas squad and turned his attention to the Titans and South Africa 'A'.

After a stellar first-class 2016 season, Kuhn was rewarded with a national call-up in 2017, making his Test debut for the Proteas against England at Lord's.

Kuhn went on to play seven T20Is and four Tests for the Proteas from 2009-2017 before signing a Kolpak contract with English county cricket team Kent in 2018.

He spent four seasons with Kent and saw them reach promotion to Division One for the first time in 11 years.

"That was a special moment being able to make my debut against Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. It is something that I will always remember," says Kuhn.

"I really wanted to test myself in England on the county circuit ... I also got to spend time with a number of top players and it really felt like a family."

Kuhn decided it was time to retire from a professional cricketing career that has spanned nearly two decades, and it's one that he says he is thankful for.

"I felt that it was the right time to retire ... It is an amazing job to play cricket for a living. You see different parts of