Mark Andrews for Bok captain

Regardless of what transpires in the last month of the Super 12, the time may be right for Harry Viljoen to do what perhaps he should have done six months ago - appoint Mark Andrews to the Springbok captaincy.

The debate over the captaincy has tended to centre around three loose-forwards. The incumbent is Cats No8 Andre Vos, with the most celebrated pretenders to that position being current Cats skipper Rassie Erasmus and Stormers leader Corne Krige, both of them flanks.

The pair, who enjoy strong support in their respective regions, had their credentials for the position confirmed by former coach Nick Mallett when Gary Teichmann withdrew before a test against Italy at King's Park in June 1999.

Erasmus was offered the leadership first, but when he turned it down for personal reasons, Krige stepped in.

While both of these players have great respect for one another, the captaincy issue seemed to be at the heart of the tempestuous showdown between the Cats and Stormers which kicked off the season. Cats coach Laurie Mains may have given some indication of this when he stepped into a war of words between the two camps afterwards by claiming that Krige was not Springbok captaincy material.

There are few who have played under Krige or seen him in action who would take that accusation seriously. And after his hitherto successful 2001 campaign at the helm of the Cats, neither should Erasmus continue to carry question marks over his tactical nous or hunger to be captain.

If called upon, both Erasmus and Krige would do good jobs. So for that matter would Vos, were it not for the fact that the evidence of the Super 12 suggests a change in tactics may be imminent from the Springbok coach.

Much has been written and spoken of Viljoen's ball-in-hand philosophy. However, while both teams have used all 15 players and no-one can accuse them of playing out-dated rugby, the strong positions that the Sharks and the Cats now find themselves has been built around forward based strategies.

Big Sharks No8 AJ Venter has been particularly instrumental in getting his team onto the front foot. His powerful presence at the back of the lineout and his strong driving with ball that is turned inside by his scrumhalf has played a pivotal role in the Sharks success.

Viljoen has always had a predeliction for big loose-forwards. With Erasmus, Krige and Andre Venter all world class in their own right, the probable absorption of Venter (AJ, that is) into his game will leave Vos as a less than certain starter.

Which brings us to Andrews. Since getting back into the team through the back door at the end of the last Tri-Nations season, South Africa's most-capped player has again gone on to establish himself as a fixture in the Springbok second row.

He remains a hugely influential figure in the Sharks pack. If anyone doubts that, perhaps they should speak to some of the Sharks' opponents.

Generally the feeling is that the Sharks are twice as good when Andrews is present than when he is absent.

As Krige himself pointed out to me during last year's tour of Argentina and Britain, Andrews is a player who commands tremendous respect from both his teammates and opponents. Like former All Black Sean Fitzpatrick, he has that ability to intimidate opponents without being seen to trangress the law.

While there have been some critics who have questioned his approach, Krige assured me that Andrews may at times be guilty of gamesmanship or the professional trickery that comes with years of experience, but never (or at least very rarely) blatant foul play.

His standing as a leader has been underlined by his role in helping transform Natal and Sharks rugby back into a winning concern. When he took over the captaincy towards the end of last year's Super 12, the Sharks were the laughing stock of the competition.

Thanks to Andrews and coach Rudolf Straeuli, the Sharks are now out in front at the top of the log and almost certain of a semi-final place. Team insiders tell me the Selborne College old boy, who leads from the front and has the gift of never appearing flustered, was hugely influential in nurturing the young players who helped Natal into last year's Currie Cup final.

Andrews is still young enough to continue through to the next World Cup. And the respect that he commands will transcend the provincialism and cliques that will inevitably come into play if one of the other candidates gets to lead South Africa. Andrews is a bit of a loner, which in this instance might be helpful.

It is not widely known, but Viljoen was on the brink of appointing Andrews to lead the Boks on his first tour as coach. It is believed that Andrews was even sounded out about the possibility of taking over.

However, the memories of the outcry which followed the dropping of Teichmann prompted some of Viljoen's fellow selectors and SARFU officials to dissuade him from making the call.

Remember that at the time South African rugby was in turmoil and deeply divided over the circumstances which led to the axing of Mallett. It was understandable that officials were loath to subject yet another South African rugby hero to what the public may have viewed as shabby treatment.

But Vos is not captaining the Cats in the Super 12. Viljoen has been given the gap he needs to make a change in leader. On the evidence of the last few months of Super 12, that leader should not be Erasmus or Krige, but Mark Andrews.