South Africa capped The wicketkeeper eleven times before moving to New Zealand, where she played 38 internationals.
Bernadine Bezuidenhout, New Zealand's wicketkeeper, has retired
from international cricket. She played four ODIs and seven T20Is for South
Africa before moving on to New Zealand, where she appeared in 16 ODIs and 22 T20Is.
"It's been such a great ride," Bezuidenhout stated in a New Zealand
Cricket release.
"Playing for the White Ferns has been a wonderful privilege and honor,
leaving me with the best memories. The voyage has taught me so much,
and I will be eternally thankful to everyone who has accompanied me."
Bezuidenhout made her international debut for South Africa in 2014. She moved to Christchurch in 2015 and was first selected for New Zealand in early 2018, following the expiration of a two-year residential stand-down in August 2017. She competed in the T20 World Cup later that year, where New Zealand was eliminated in the league round.
Bezuidenhout was diagnosed with RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) and was out for two years before returning to the New Zealand T20 World Cup squad in 2023. She launched The EPIC Sports Project Charitable Trust, a non-profit social company dedicated to inspiring optimism and belonging in young people from low-income communities while also breaking down obstacles to sports participation.
"I am at peace with this decision, but it was not easy to make," Bezuidenhout added. "I've struggled to find a balance between my work and playing career for a while now, and after a lot of thought and reflection I feel that it's the right time to pivot and put my full focus on The EPIC Sports Project."
Bezuidenhout played five of New Zealand's six white-ball games at home against England earlier this year before being sidelined for the final ODI with a hamstring injury.
"I want to thank Bernie for the contributions she's
made to the White Ferns on the field, as well as the caring qualities she
brought to the group off the field," New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer
stated. "We're proud of the work that Bernie does outside of cricket and I
have no doubt she'll continue to make a positive impact on the lives of
many."
Bezuidenhout will continue to play domestic cricket for the Northern Districts.
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