TEST batsman Jacques Rudolph has decided to stop representing South Africa in order to take up a three-year contract with Yorkshire as a Kolpak player.

The 25-year-old left-hander will join up with his new team-mates at Headingley towards the end of March in a move which he is convinced will help further his career.

Rudolph cannot go on playing for South Africa while a Kolpak player and he may even wish to represent England once his qualifying period is over.

A stylish batsman, Rudolph comes on the recommendation of Geoff Boycott, now a member of Yorkshire's management board, who has spent some time talking to him about the deal.

In signing a left-hander, Yorkshire have obtained a direct replacement for Michael Lumb, who has moved to Hampshire. Yorkshire now have two overseas players in Younis Khan and Jason Gillespie, plus two Kolpak cricketers in Rudolph and fellow South African Deon Kruis.

Rudolph has been out of South Africa's Test side recently but there was talk of a return following the defeat to Pakistan on Monday in the second Test at Port Elizabeth.

He presently plays domestic cricket for Gestetner Diamond Eagles and intends to continue turning out for them.

Rudolph has played in 35 Tests and on his debut against Bangladesh at Chittagong in 2003 scored with a career-best 222. He has scored 2,028 Test runs with five centuries and eight half-centuries at an average of 36.21.

In 45 one-day internationals, Rudolph has made 1,157 runs at an average of 37.32 with seven fifties and a top score of 81, while in a total of 99 first class matches he has notched 6,278 runs with 18 centuries and 32 fifties giving him an average of 40.28.

Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan said: "He is a proven performer at the highest level and his ability will add strength to our campaign.

"For Jacques to commit his future to Yorkshire proves we are making progress with the cricket side of our business and that we are serious about competing in all forms of the game this season."

Rudolph said: "Cricket is a game where you have to learn and improve all the time and I believe playing for Yorkshire will give me valuable experience. They have some great players at Yorkshire, plus some knowledgeable supporters."

Cricket South Africa's chief executive, Gerald Majola, said CSA had held talks with Rudolph, national coach Mickey Arthur and convenor of selectors Haroon Lorgat.

"Eventually, all parties agreed with Jacques' view that the county experience would make him a better player at this stage of his career," said Majola.

"CSA has nurtured Jacques since he was a teenager and we regard him as one of our national assets."