Rudolph was chosen for South Africa's Test team in 2003 having previously had his selection for the 2002 New Year's Test against Australia in Sydney overruled by cricket administrators due to the South African practice of obeying a 'quota' of non-white players; the board overruled the selectors and installed Justin Ontong in the team.

He also broke the South African third-wicket partnership record, alongside Boeta Dippenaar, reaching 429* against Bangladesh at Chittagong.

After declaring himself unavailable for selection by South Africa after agreeing to join Yorkshire under the Kolpak ruling he stated he did not want to represent South Africa again and hoped to possibly represent England, qualifying by residency, after deciding to buy a house and live permanently in Yorkshire.

[2] Rudolph was recalled to the South African Test squad in October 2011, for the two-Test home series against Australia.

Although still centrally contracted, Rudolph signed a three-year deal in 2007 to play in England for Yorkshire County Cricket Club under the Kolpak ruling.

[11] He kicked off his Pro40 season in style with 127 in a match against Kent at Scarborough in a Yorkshire win and continued his good form in the 8-wicket thrashing of Glamorgan with 49* as they went top of Division 2.

[12] He fared considerably better in the Roses match at Old Trafford, scoring 48* from 38 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) in a losing total of 113,[13] and remained not out until the final game of the group stages against Derbyshire.

On 18 September 2013, Rudolph signed a two-year contract with Glamorgan subject to approval from the South African Cricket Board.