In 2005, he took 36 wickets with an average of 20.72. He takes the wicket of Brian Lara on regular basis and dismissed him 8 times during his career.  In 2007 against Pakistan he took his 100^th wicket and become 11 South African to do so. In 2008 Charl Langeveldt was selected to following the policy rather than actual performance of the players and Andre Nel was dropped because of this decision of selectors he was very disappointed and announcement from International Cricket on 25 March, 2009.

Auxiliary disagreement followed afterward that year, at what time Nel was one of five South African players found blameworthy of smoking marijuana for the duration of the tour of the West Indies. On the other hand, it was for the duration of the home West Indies series in 2003-04, for the period of which he got married, that he recognized himself as an everlasting member of the Test team – and was only in difficulty once, for making facial motions to Chris Gayle. A back wound shortened his development, but he came back with wickets and more facial contortions in opposition to England in 2004-05. Nel came hooked on his own for the period of South Africa’s tour of Australia by the closing stages of 2005, where he was an unapproachable occurrence with 14 wickets and an aggressive mindset. Four dismissals on Boxing Day led to a strong showing at Sydney, and his capability to fight in opposition to the background of ethnic mocking from the Australian crowd was hard-hitting. Unsuccessful to back his words, on the other hand, at some stage in a return series at home, finishing with only six wickets, and was occupied in a animated disagreement with Adam Gilchrist in the second Test later than being smashed for 22 runs. An unproductive tour of Sri Lanka in the summer of 2006 followed, however Nel was kept hold of in South Africa’s 14-man squad for the Champions Trophy in India.

Disfigured in with wickets and in excess of a mouthful of words and mischievous smiles in opposition to India at home, other than will almost certainly be kept in mind most from the Test series for being at the in receipt the end of a big six and a renowned spur-of-the-moment dance from Indian swiftness bowler Sreesanth. He protected a position in the 2007 World Cup squad but was not a assurance on the final team-sheet. On the other hand, his magic charms in opposition to England and Bangladesh represented what he brought to the assault and his obligation was not at all inquired. With South Africa straightening out on a young swiftness-bowling harass, led by Dale Steyn, chances were more and more restricted and he declared his international retirement in March, 2009. He has made fun with magic charm with Essex in 2005 and 2007, and was approved in the early hours leave from the club in 2008 to play for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. On the domestic front, he turned out from the Titans to the Lions before the 2008-09 season.