Proteas batsman Rassie van der Dussen recently took to social media to celebrate a special milestone with the woman he calls his greatest supporter — his wife, Lara van der Dussen. The couple marked their seventh wedding anniversary with a heartfelt post on Instagram, giving fans a rare glimpse into their private relationship.
Rassie captioned the photo, “7 years in the making ♥️,” a simple but poignant tribute to their enduring bond.
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From high school sweethearts to life partners
Rassie and Lara’s love story stretches back well before his international cricketing days. The pair first met in 2012 and dated for six years before tying the knot on 21 April 2018. Rassie proposed on 25 March 2017, the day before Lara’s 25th birthday — a gesture she once described as “perfectly timed and incredibly thoughtful”.
The couple have remained fiercely supportive of one another throughout Rassie’s rise to cricketing fame. Lara, a qualified mathematics teacher, has often adjusted her professional life to travel with her husband. After losing her job, she began accompanying Rassie more regularly to tournaments around the world, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The woman behind the cricketer
Though she keeps a relatively low profile online — her Instagram account is private — Lara is no stranger to the spotlight. She’s often spotted in the stands cheering Rassie on, especially during big games. In 2022, while Rassie played for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, Lara became a familiar face to fans… but not for the reasons you might expect.
During matches, camera crews frequently mistook her for Jos Buttler’s wife due to her enthusiastic celebrations whenever he scored. In a light-hearted moment on a Royals podcast, Lara laughed off the confusion, saying, “People think I’m Jos’ wife… Rassie hasn’t played as much, so I just adopted the cheering for Jos.”
Beyond her presence at matches, Lara is an avid reader and shoe lover, and while she values her privacy, she isn’t shy about showing pride in her husband’s achievements. Just before Rassie left for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Lara shared a touching message on social media: “Off to India you go. You will forever fill my heart with utmost pride! Bring it home.”
A marriage rooted in mutual respect
While many sports stars live their personal lives in the public eye, Rassie and Lara have built their marriage on trust, support, and shared history. They’ve never rushed into the spotlight, preferring instead to let their love speak through quiet moments and genuine admiration.
Fans flooded the anniversary post with congratulatory messages, praising the couple’s commitment and warmth. One commenter wrote, “In a world where love fades fast, your story gives us hope.” Another added, “Wishing you many more years of happiness — you two are proof that lasting love still exists.”
As the Proteas continue their cricketing journey, Lara remains a pillar of strength for Rassie — not just at home, but in every stadium she steps into. Whether she’s cheering from the stands or offering support between matches, it’s clear that behind this cricket star stands a woman who’s every bit as dedicated as he is.
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Featured Image: Instagram | @rassie72
