Anthony McGrath is convinced Yorkshire favourite Jacques Rudolph will succeed on his return to international cricket with South Africa tomorrow.

The left-handed batsman will end a five-year hiatus against Australia at Cape Town after playing the last of his 35 Tests in August, 2006.

Rudolph, 30, has since spent four-and-a-half seasons playing county cricket for the White Rose, a spell which has seen his reputation rocket.

He has also scored a remarkable 592 runs from a quartet of four-day domestic matches for the Nashua Titans since the beginning of October.

Rudolph will open the batting at the picturesque Newlands ground, and McGrath said: “Since he’s been out of the side, he’s said himself that he’s matured as a person, which is massive.

“Coming to England, embracing the culture and the cricket, was big for him. He wasn’t just a fantastic batsman, he was a fantastic team man.

“He’s a very strong person mentally, which means he’s got all the attributes to succeed at that level. All he needs now is that little bit of luck.

“South Africa and Australia have a bit of history, so it will be a tough one for him to start with but on the other hand, it’s a good one because it will prove to him and other people that he can perform at that level.

“There’ll be a lot of people rooting for him back at Headingley and I’m sure he’ll go well, I’ve got no doubts about that.”