Rodber earned selection to the 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa. Rodber captained the midweek side against Mpumalanga, but was seen initially as behind the other No.8s for the Test side. However injury to Scott Quinnell, and then Eric Miller catching flu, led to Rodber starting the First test. Rodber became one of the stand out performers during the tour. He was selected at No.8 for the first two Tests, both of which the Lions won to take the series 2–1.