Rassie van der Dussen is one of South Africa’s most reliable and cool-headed cricketers. He is known for his strong batting skills and calm nature on the field. Rassie has played many important innings in ODIs and T20s, helping South Africa in pressure situations. He became popular in world cricket due to his steady performances, even when the team was struggling.
Rassie’s journey to international cricket wasn’t fast or flashy. He worked hard in domestic cricket for many years before getting his national cap. His story is an example of patience, discipline, and never giving up on dreams. In this article, let’s explore everything about Rassie van der Dussen—his age, height, wife, family, cricket life, and more.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hendrik Erasmus van der Dussen |
| Nick Name | Rassie |
| Date of Birth | February 7, 1989 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 36 years |
| Place of Birth | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Profession | Professional Cricketer |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm leg break (occasional) |
| Role in Team | Top-order Batsman |
| ODI Debut | January 19, 2019, vs Pakistan |
| T20I Debut | October 9, 2018, vs Zimbabwe |
| Test Debut | December 26, 2019, vs England |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) |
| Weight | Around 78 kg |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Lara van der Dussen (Physiotherapist) |
| Domestic Teams | Highveld Lions, Gauteng, Northerns, Jozi Stars |
| Known For | Consistent ODI record, calm under pressure |
| Major Tournaments | 2023 ODI World Cup, ICC T20 World Cups |
| Hobbies | Traveling, music, sports documentaries |
| Languages | English, Afrikaans |
| Controversy | None major; known for discipline and professionalism |
| @rassievd |
Early Life and Background
Rassie van der Dussen was born on February 7, 1989, in Pretoria, South Africa. His full name is Hendrik Erasmus van der Dussen, but everyone calls him “Rassie.” He grew up in a middle-class family where sports were a big part of life. From a young age, Rassie enjoyed playing many sports, but cricket was always his favorite.
He studied at Hoërskool Menlopark, a school known for sports and academics. Later, he attended North-West University, where he continued his education and played a lot of cricket. His college years helped shape his game and gave him a strong base in the sport.
Rassie was not a child cricket star. He developed slowly and improved his game step by step. Many players get famous early, but Rassie took a different road. His story is proof that late bloomers can still shine brightly.
Age, Height, and Physical Appearance
As of 2025, Rassie van der Dussen is 36 years old. Even at this age, he is very fit and active. He looks after his health and trains hard to stay in top form.
- Date of Birth: February 7, 1989
- Age: 36 years
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters)
- Weight: Around 78 kg
- Eye Color: Hazel
- Hair Color: Light Brown
Rassie has a tall and athletic body. His calm face and sharp eyes show his focus. He may not be flashy, but his presence on the field is powerful.
Family and Personal Life
Rassie van der Dussen comes from a loving and supportive family. His parents encouraged him to follow his passion for cricket. Though not much is shared publicly about them, Rassie has often said that his parents and family gave him full freedom to chase his dream.
He is a private person and doesn’t speak much about his family in the media. However, it is known that his family stood by him during tough times when he was not selected for the national team.
Wife
Rassie is married to Lara van der Dussen, a professional physiotherapist. She has worked with several athletes and sports teams. The couple tied the knot in 2018 and share a strong and beautiful bond.
Lara understands the pressure and routine of a sportsman’s life. She supports Rassie in every way, from diet to travel to emotional support. They often post cute pictures together on social media. Rassie once said, “Lara is not just my wife, she is my best friend and biggest supporter.”
Domestic Cricket Career
Rassie van der Dussen’s domestic career began in 2008 when he played for Northerns. Later, he represented Highveld Lions, one of South Africa’s top domestic teams. He also played for Gauteng and North West teams over the years.
In first-class cricket, Rassie scored heavily and became a dependable middle-order batsman. He was one of the top run-getters in the Sunfoil Series and the CSA T20 Challenge. His performances in domestic tournaments were consistent but never loud. That’s why it took him time to grab the attention of national selectors.
In 2018, he shone brightly in the Mzansi Super League (MSL). He scored 469 runs in just 11 matches for the Jozi Stars, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer. This performance opened the doors to international cricket.
International Cricket Journey
Rassie made his international debut at the age of 29. While this may seem late, his maturity and hunger to perform helped him make an instant impact.
ODI Debut
Rassie played his ODI debut against Pakistan on January 19, 2019. He scored 93 runs in that match, almost getting a century in his first game. From there, he never looked back. His calm and composed style made him a solid number three or four in the batting line-up.
He has scored multiple ODI centuries and fifties against teams like India, Australia, England, and Pakistan. Rassie was a key part of South Africa’s 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign and performed well throughout the tournament.
T20I Career
Rassie made his T20I debut on October 9, 2018, also against Zimbabwe. In the T20 format, he plays the role of a steady batter who anchors the innings. He may not hit big sixes often, but he keeps the scoreboard ticking.
He has played many match-winning innings in T20 cricket, especially in chases. His T20 strike rate has improved with experience, and he remains a vital part of South Africa’s T20 team.
Test Cricket
Rassie made his Test debut on December 26, 2019, against England at Centurion. He showed his patience and classical batting style in the longer format too. Though not as explosive as in white-ball formats, he brings stability to the Test team.
Career Highlights and Achievements
- Debut ODI score: 93 vs Pakistan
- Played 2023 ODI World Cup and scored multiple fifties
- Consistent ODI average above 50
- Helped South Africa beat India and Australia in key ODI series
- Played in top leagues like PSL, MSL, and Global T20 Canada
- Second highest run scorer in 2018 Mzansi Super League
His numbers and consistency show that Rassie is one of the most underrated yet dependable batsmen in the world today.
Playing Style
Rassie van der Dussen is a right-handed batsman. He is known for his calmness, correct technique, and ability to build an innings. He reads the situation well and adjusts his batting speed depending on the team’s needs.
In ODIs, he often anchors the innings, while others bat around him. In T20s, he has improved his shot selection and power-hitting ability. He plays spin and pace equally well, making him useful on all kinds of pitches.
He is also a good fielder with quick reflexes and safe hands, usually fielding in the circle or deep cover.
Girlfriend Before Marriage
Before marrying Lara, there was no public record of Rassie dating anyone else. He has always kept his personal life very private. There were no media rumors or gossip around him, which shows how well he keeps his private and professional life separate.
Controversy
Rassie van der Dussen has kept a clean image throughout his career. He is respected by fans, teammates, and opponents alike. However, there was one small incident during the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he was seen having a short argument with a teammate during a tight match. The media tried to highlight it, but both players cleared it later and said it was just on-field pressure.
Other than this, Rassie has never been involved in any scandal, off-field issues, or bad behavior. His discipline is one of the reasons coaches trust him so much.
Life Outside Cricket
Outside cricket, Rassie enjoys spending time with his wife, traveling, and watching sports documentaries. He also loves music and sometimes shares playlists online.
Rassie is involved in social work too. He supports programs for youth sports development in South Africa and believes in giving back to society. He also speaks openly about mental health awareness in cricket, which is still a sensitive topic.
He is a multi-language speaker, fluent in English and Afrikaans.
Future Goals
Rassie van der Dussen wants to continue playing cricket at the top level for a few more years. His current form in ODIs and T20s still makes him a key player for South Africa.
He also hopes to help South Africa win an ICC trophy, something the nation has been waiting for a long time. Rassie dreams of mentoring young players and may become a batting coach or commentator after retirement.
