South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has retired from international football with immediate effect. The 30-year-old's bombshell decision was announced by coach Gordon Igesund on Tuesday as he unveiled his Bafana Bafana squad to face Poland and Kenya in friendlies next week. Speculation had been mounting that Pienaar was set to call time on his South Africa career to concentrate on playing for Everton. Igesund told reporters that he received a phone call from Pienaar on Monday night informing him of his decision to retire with immediate effect. "I'm proud to have played for and captained my country, and for that I thank you," the Everton midfielder said via a statement. Igesund has named defender Bongani Khumalo as Bafana Bafana's new captain and admitted it is unlikely Pienaar will play for his country again. "The way Steven Pienaar has retired is the right way. I think it was a tough decision for him," he said. Pienaar made his international debut in 2002, and has featured for the national side at two World Cups. The 30-year-old withdrew from last month's matches against Brazil and Mozambique with an injury, only to then appear in Everton's starting line-up just days later. Pienaar is just the latest in a long line of Bafana players to become embroiled in a 'club v country' debate over the years. Benni McCarthy retired from international football after the 2002 World Cup in order to concentrate on his career in Europe before eventually returning to the fold. Mark Fish 'retired' more than once, whilst Shaun Bartlett quit international football in order to win a new contract with his club side Charlton.