[2][3] They were also the best match figures in first-class cricket since Jim Laker took 19–90 in the fourth Test against Australia in 1956.

In October 2018, he was named in Durban Heat's squad for the first edition of the Mzansi Super League T20 tournament.

[10] In September 2019, he was named in the squad for the Durban Heat team for the 2019 Mzansi Super League tournament.

[12] He was named as the replacement for the injured Jacques Kallis in the South Africa national cricket team for the third Test against Pakistan in February 2013.

On 5 January 2017 following the conclusion of the second Test against Sri Lanka, Abbott signed a Kolpak deal with Hampshire County Cricket Club which made him ineligible to represent South Africa anymore, ending his international career.