Now he joins Northerns Titans teammate Steve Elworthy for the game against England in Dhaka next Sunday as a replacement for Gary Kirsten, forced to withdraw yesterday after the fractured small finger failed to respond to treatment.
Bob Woolmer, the South African coach, contacted Northerns coach Peter Kirsten last week and asked him to alert Rindel to the possibility he may be needed in Bangladesh in a series used to raise funds for the ICC development programme.
``It's the best sort of news.'' said Rindel yesterday after being told he was taking over from Kirsten. ``It means that they (the national selectors) are still looking at me.
``What I need to do now is make the most of this opportunity,'' Rindel said. ``It is nice to know there is still a chance that I can still make the side for the World Cup. But I know I have to prove myself and this is just the chance I need.''
Rindel scored an impressive 123 not out against Free State in Bloemfontein two weeks ago and gave Hansie Cronje an idea of his batting capabilities as he batted through the innings on a difficult pitch when chasing a 256 victory target.
Kirsten (the Titans coach not the Western Province opening batsman) said while Rindel's selection was ``great news'' it also meant Northerns had batsmen who had struck form at the right time. Deon Jordaan's two half centuries against Gauteng B for Northerns B at L C de Villiers this week showed that he was coming back into form.
``We are all pleased for Mike (Rindel). It is hard to understand in the first place how he was overlooked. But it also gives us a chance to look at other replacement options when we select the squad for the two games next weekend,'' Kirsten added.
On the day South Africa face England in Bangladesh his Titans teammates will be involved in a Standard Bank match against Eastern Province at SuperSport Centurion.