The Islands in the Stream hitmaker, 76, has decided he will not return once he wraps up a trio of summer (15) dates in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The Farewell South Africa Tour will kick off on 15 June (15) and feature support from regional country artists 'Big Daddy' Lance James, 'Queen of Country' Barbara Ray, 'Midnight Cowboy' Clive Bruce and 'The Killer' Tommy Dell.

No reason has been given for the move, but the news doesn't mean Rogers is hanging up the microphone for good - his representative insists the veteran crooner "still loves touring and recording new music".

Rogers recently played his final dates in Australia and New Zealand. Announcing his January and February (15) tour Down Under would be his last in that part of the world in November (14), the singer said, "For all of the travelling I've done around the world, Australia and New Zealand remain two of my favourite places to perform. When I was with the (group) First Edition, we made this same trip several times, and no matter how many times I've gone, I've always loved the audiences Down Under. They have a great sense of humour, and they've always treated me with such great respect, so for that, I say thank you."

The Farewell Down Under Tour kicked off in Sydney, Australia on 23 January (15) and concluded in Hamilton, New Zealand on 15 February (15).