Possible solution to Bok captain problem

I think most of us tend to agree that Adriaan Strauss of the Cheetahs is a great candidate for Bok captain, but that would obviously create the unfavourable scenario of keeping Bissie out the test team again. So, having a look at the problem we are experiencing at number 7, with most of the good quality blindside flankers being unavailable through injury and ou Willem Alberts lacking form, I thought perhaps Meyer and the boys should look at this 22: 

1. Beast

2. Adriaan Strauss (Captain)

3. Jannie

4. Etzebeth

5. Bekker

6. Heinrich

7. Bismarck

8. Spies (maybe not, but who else?)

9. Hougie

10. Morne

11. Habana

12. Fransie

13. JP

14. Aplon

15. Lambie

16. Chiliboy

17. Coenie

18. Juandre

19. Elstadt

20. Fourie DP

21. Jantjies

22. Juan DeJongh

Think about it....Bissie at blindside lacks absolutely nothing. He has ball-carrying power expected of a Bok blinsider, tackles ferociusly, can pilfer like a open-sider and is mobile around the park.

What do you guys think?

Interesting but no. For a start we could never do that to Bismark, it would be unfair and a travisty. He is the best hooker in the game and has to start for the Boks after shadowing Smit for so many years - with the last 3 years or so being unjustified.

Secondly, what makes Strauss such a good captain, he appears no better than Spies, Jean, Daniel or Josh Strauss.

Thirdly we have so many great options at 7, why on earth would we not want to play a specialist there - the list is endless: Elstadt, Schalk, Josh Strauss, v/d Walt, Alberts, Deysel, M.Coetzee, Potgieter, CJ Stander, A.Botha

I like your side though, but would have Elstadt at 7, Bismark at 2 and Mvovo ahead of Aplon and Jantjies ahead of Morne.

On the bench I'd have Whitehead, JJ Engelbrecht and du Preez as my backs, Coenie, Chiliboy/A.Strauss, Flip, Coetzee/J.Strauss as my forwards

Your proposed team is really a recipe for disaster  and to appoint Strauss as a captain of that outfit is going to be to his detriment career-wise.

Maybe there is real justification for positions 1, 2 and 3 - they are not really firing.   To move Bismark to flank - no way he has massive strength but he is slow and that is a fact.  better leave him out altogether or leave him at hooker where he should play.

Spies - no form whatsoever, and would not qualify for selection.

Steyn - putrid at best - defence forgotten about and kicking game up and down.   No way can he be selected to play for the Springboks.

JP flopped at 13 - so why should he be given a career lifeline in that position?

The selection to my mind is 60% in place - based on performances - but with due regard to injuries and I believe the team should be as follows:-

     1.     Not sure - The Beast has not proven himself this year yet - selection on form not really possible

     2.     Du Plessis

     3      Not sure - the youngsters can have a big say here - especially Malherbe

     4     Etzebeth - certainty

     5     Bekker - certainty

     6     Brussouw

     7     Louw

     8     Rather than an out-of-form Spies - Elstadt

     9    Hougaard

    10    Lambie

     11   Habana

     12   Steyn

     13   De Villiers - is he to be fit to play - since I believe if so - he would be the captain.

     14   Aplon

     15   Pieterse is very impressive - but not a certainty 

      16   Ralepele

      17   Coeni

      18   If not in starting line-up Kitshoff/Malherbe

       19   Kruger

       20   Pienaar - definitely not Du Preez

       21   Grant

       22    Pieterse - if not in stating line-up

       23    Way open - woul prefer a younsgter like Engelbrecht. 

The above team is much stronger than anything based on 2007 WC form.