Van Wyk, who slipped out of the Stag's Georgie Pie Super Smash Twenty20 stint with a few rounds to go, had indicated something was up although it wasn't conclusive he was going to retire from all cricket.
With the Budget Rental-sponsored first-class Plunket Shield campaign still to go and the Ford Trophy one-day campaign yet to start, there was reason to speculate he was likely to hang up his wicketkeeping gloves at the end of this season.
Besides, the 35-year-old, who was born in the Transvaal Province in South Africa, had spearheaded CD to Ford Trophy victory last summer.
"It's time for me to go. I have other things to do," said Van Wyk last night, revealing wife Zenandi, who gave birth to their second child, baby girl Zolie in February this year, were "extremely happy in New Zealand".
"You know, family's always important to me and they do come first," said Van Wyk, who had pondered quitting playing as early as April this year.
His father, Dr Gerri van Wyk, works in the department of human movement sciences at Pretoria University, and mum Esther van Wyk, works for a financial firm there.
"While it always a tough decision, I feel the time is right to take on an opportunity outside of playing the game, working as director of cricket at Pretoria's TuksCricket Academy," he had said earlier in a CD Cricket statement.
"I'm extremely privileged to have lived my dream as a professional cricketer for the past 17 years and I would like to thank my family and friends for all their love and support during this chapter," said the nuggety batsman who arrived in Hawke's Bay as a wicketkeeper from the then Canterbury Wizards, where he also captained the major association team.
His proudest moment was representing New Zealand at test level and he remained eternally grateful and indebted to the country for the opportunities.
"To the Titans, Canterbury and Central Districts, I sincerely thank you for the opportunities you have given me and I will take away many great memories."
Asked if he would like to have played more games for the Black Caps, he replied: "When you make your debut at 32 every game is your last game ... so I did well to keep BJ [Watling] out for a year and a half.
"You can always play 20 to 30 tests but I have absolutely no regrets."
During the southern hemisphere winters, Van Wyk often plied his trade in Europe as well as studied at tertiary institutions to prepare for life after sport.
Coaching and management roles beckoned from the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and South Africa in the past few summers for the man who was assistant coach of the Dutch international men's side.
But it was the management aspect of the summer code that won over him in the end.
"I like to think I write my own script in life," he said when asked if the influx of young players in the Heinrich Malan-coached squad had expedited his departure midway through the season.
"CD have been an extremely good bunch of players and also a good bunch of guys. They've been a great group and I've been pleased to captain them."
He had spent the past few days talking to the players.
"To the CD team, all the best for the remainder of the season and thank you for understanding my decision to leave the game to take up this next opportunity."
Hawke's Bay had been his home for the past six years and he acknowledged he had built a good rapport with the HB Cricket Association.
"CHB and the people have become great friends, you know the likes of the Schaws, Mackies and Lewises," said the Ruahine Motors Central Hawke's Bay premier men's club player who hasn't ruled out returning to live here.
The family will celebrate Christmas here before catching their flight out on December 29 to Pretoria.
Van Wyk started his professional cricketing career in South Africa and moved to New Zealand in 2006 where his career spanned 10 years (four with Canterbury and six with CD.
He finished with 671 (616/55) career dismissals and holds the CD record for most dismissals in a season (40 in 2014-15), most dismissals in a match (10 in 2014-15) and most catches in a match (10 in 2014-15). Van Wyk scored 6734 first-class runs at 39.61, including seven tons and the highest score of 178 not out.
CD teammate Ross Taylor said: "Kruger has been a great servant to cricket here in New Zealand and his hard-working and competitive character has had a great impact on those he played with.
"I have always admired his determined attitude and his achievements in the game are a direct reflection of that. I thank Kruger for his contribution to the game and wish him and his family all the best in his next endeavours," said Taylor.
NZ Cricket chief executive David White and CD CEO Chris Lander also lauded him for his services.
