Former South African vice-captain Nicky Boje announced his retirement from all international cricket on Tuesday.

Left-arm spinner Boje, who took 100 wickets in 43 Tests and played 115 one-day internationals, had been recalled to South Africa's squad for the first Test against India starting on Friday after two years in the wilderness and scant success at first-class level.

"I have decided to retire from international cricket immediately and I am accordingly unavailable to form part of the Proteas squad for this season," Boje said in a statement released by the South African Cricketers' Association, of which he is the president.

"I now feel that the time has come for me to devote the remainder of my playing years to Eagles (his domestic franchise) cricket.

"I wish my former team-mates in the Proteas side the very best for the future and I'm confident that the team has a very bright cricketing future," the 33-year-old Boje said.

Haroon Lorgat, the convenor of the national selectors, was not available to comment on who would replace the all-rounder in South Africa's 15-man squad.