Alviro Petersen has confirmed that he will retire from Test cricket following the conclusion of South Africa's ongoing clash against the West Indies.

The 34-year-old has played 36 Tests for the Proteas, but the batsman has decided that the time is right for him to step down.

"I feel that at 34 it is time for me to retire from international cricket and to move on with my career. I intend playing county and franchise cricket for the next three years and also concentrating on my foundation and my cricket school," he said in a statement.

"It has been an honour to represent my country and to be part of a South African Test team that is ranked number one in the world. I want to thank Cricket South Africa, my teammates, sponsors and cricket fans for all the support and memories over the years.

"I will miss the Proteas amazing team culture that we have built, international cricket, and especially, my teammates but it is time to move on."

Petersen has scored 2,093 runs for South Africa - a haul which has included five centuries.