The 34-year-old who is an attorney by trade played in over 100 first-class matches for North West and the Lions in Johannesburg.

Van den Bergh won’t step away from the sport as he has been appointed as the Chief Commercial Officer at North West Cricket.

While in the new role he will also continue to juggle his legal career, the same way as he did while still playing.

Van den Bergh said that while his retirement had been coming for some time, it was still emotional, but he looks forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

“My retirement from professional cricket and the transition into the CCO role is something that we have been discussing for a while and has been in the pipeline for a while,” said Van den Bergh.

“I knew it was coming so the plan was always to retire during this off season.

“I can continue my legal career and I am thankful to North West Cricket for the opportunity to step into a new role as CCO, to be able to remain in cricket and see what North West can become.

“I truly believe that North West Cricket can be a force to be reckoned with, in South African cricket.”

Apart from playing for the Dragons the past few years, he spent the majority of his career playing for the Lions as well.

Van den Bergh scored 5427-runs in 106 first-class games, with 11 centuries and 30 fifties, while he also took 273 catches.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport