Rudolph keen to cement Test spot

Jacques Rudolph feels that the conditions in Sri Lanka fit his batting style "like a glove" and is confident of cementing his spot in the South African team in the absence of Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis. Rudolph was included in the squad to tour Sri Lanka because Smith pulled out after undergoing surgery for an ankle injury.

"This is definitely a big chance for me to regain my place in the squad. We all know Graeme and Jacques Kallis will return," Rudolph told News 24. "Whoever performs the best out of AB [de Villiers], Hashim [Amla] and Boeta [Dippenaar] on this tour, stands a good chance to remain in the squad when Graeme and Jacques do return."

"It's the fourth time that I'll be touring Sri Lanka and I'm used to the conditions. I've toured with the South Africa A team in the past and I've been successful. On the last tour I hit a century in Galle. Hopefully I'll be successful again."

Rudolph admitted that the absence of Smith and Kallis, who is recovering from elbow surgery, had considerably weakened the side. "It's also an opportunity for us as a team, probably a less experienced and weaker team than usual, to show what we can do. Some of the guys will definitely have to take the lead and show more determination in the absence of those guys [Smith and Kallis]."