Steven Pienaar made 57 appearances for his country © Getty Images Enlarge

South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has retired from international football, preferring to focus on his club career at Everton.

Speculation has mounted over the future of Pienaar, 30, after he pulled out of manager Gordon Igesund's first games in charge of the nation - against Brazil and Mozambique in September - due to injury, only to appear for Everton just days later.

And Igesund has revealed he received a phone call from the player on Monday night informing him of his decision. "The way Steven Pienaar has retired is the right way. I think it was a tough decision for him," Igesund said.

The midfielder released a statement saying: "I'm proud to have played for and captained my country, and for that I thank you."

Igesund has named defender Bongani Khumalo as the new Bafana Bafana captain as he prepares for the upcoming friendlies against Poland and Kenya next week.

Pienaar made his international debut in 2002, and has featured for the national side at two World Cups.

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