Rudolph to lead South Africa A in Sri Lanka

Jacques Rudolph, the young left-handed batsman, will lead the South African A team when it tours Sri Lanka in September to play a two-day warm-up match and two four-day games before an international one-day tri-series also involving New Zealand A. The tour gives Rudolph and excellent opportunity to prove himself once more and stake a claim to return to the South African team.

"Apart from the experienced players in the side, this squad is blessed with talented young players that we can build our future with," said Haroon Lorgat, the national convenor of selectors, on the board's official website. "Some of these players know the demanding conditions in Sri Lanka and I am confident that this tour will deepen their experiences even further."

Loots Bosman and Robin Peterson will replace Paul Adams and Hashim Amla for the tri-series. The only debutant in the squad is Johan Botha, who appeared for South Africa in the 2000 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

South Africa A won the two four-day matches 1-0, and the three one-dayers 2-1 against Sri Lanka A when the teams met last in South Africa in September-October 2003. The squad departs on August 31.

The squad: Jacques Rudolph (capt), Thami Tsolekile (wk), Paul Adams, Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Zander de Bruyn, Jean-Paul Duminy, Albie Morkel, Justin Ontong, Andrew Puttick, Dale Steyn, Alfonso Thomas, Johan van der Wath, Monde Zondeki.