Batsman Dippenaar pulled out of the second match of the series in Cape Town on Friday with a wrist injury.

Dippenaar is scheduled to undergo surgery and will miss the rest of the five-match rubber as well as the five one-day internationals South Africa will play in India next month.

Rudolph, 24, has played 39 one-day internationals and he captained South Africa A on their tour of Sri Lanka in September.

"Jacques had a good 'A' tour of Sri Lanka and would have learnt much about taking responsibility through the captaincy experience on the sub-continent," selection convenor Haroon Lorgat said on Saturday.

"He is the obvious replacement for Boeta Dippenaar."

Rudolph's return could help him kickstart an international career that stalled when he lost confidence on South Africa's tour of the West Indies in April and May.