South African captain Graeme Smith has announced he will retire at the end of his side’s series-deciding Test against Australia in Cape Town.

Smith, 33, broke the news to teammates after Monday’s third day of the Third Test at Newlands.

“This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life,” said the 116-Test veteran.

“It’s a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year.

“I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years old.”

Smith has scored 9257 runs at an average of 48.72 during his 12-year Test career.