Radebe has given ten years of service to his county

South Africa's former captain Lucas Radebe is to formally retire from international football.

Radebe, who has not been called up by Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba for recent games, is to step down at the end of the English Premiership season.

He has been capped by Bafana Bafana 69 times, and led his country to both their World Cup appearances.

Radebe made his announcement at Leeds United.

He said: "I have played for 10 years for South Africa. I think I have done not enough, but as much as I can.

I think now it's crucial for me that I focus more on my club than the national team Luca Radebe

"I think now it's crucial for me that I focus more on my club than the national team."

Radebe has one year left on his contract at Leeds and is entering his tenth year at the club.

The defender has been consistently troubled by a knee injury over the past few seasons and has said that playing both for his country and his club is too much of a strain.

He has also fallen out with a series of Bafana Bafana coaches over his availability.

In February he told the BBC that he doubted he would ever play for his country again, but he has been suggesting he would be quitting the international scene for well over a year.

Radebe's most urgent cause is to prevent Leeds from being relegated.

He has been included in the starting line-ups of each of the three games the club has played under recently appointed manager Peter Reid.

Radebe is suffering a long-term injury

"With the new manager coming in I didn't want to be left behind," Radebe said. "I always want to make sure I can contribute to the club as long as I can and hopefully help the club to success."

Peter Reid was quick to sing Radebe's praises.

"Every time he gets on the pitch I know he goes through an awful lot of pain," he said. "He's a great example to other players.

"We all know how much South Africa has come on as a nation over the 10 years, and Lucas is a shining example for that country."