You know, the first time I looked-up Colin Bland I was amazed to find-out how good his Test record as a batsman was. Such a shame he played (like all SAfricans of his time) so few Tests. His First-Class average is no more than moderate, so it'd be interesting to see how it'd have changed with more games.
As for the bowling, I'd find it almost impossible not to have Neil Adcock in there somewhere, however few Tests he played, reckon only Donald of SA bowlers was better, and would happily sacrifice Pollock's batting.
Also the wristspin trio of Schwarz, Vogler and Faulkner is an interesting one as there's no doubt that until the excellent seamers of the 1950s and 1960s they were South Africa's best-ever bowlers. Faulkner what's more was of course an all-rounder. I don't think I can find a place for any of them, unfortunately, but if we went half-and-half-ish on decades (ie, 1905/06-1960 and 1961-2008), then they'd all be automatic picks.
Also Lindsay would be my wicketkeeper-batsman every time. Thus, I'd end-up with something like:
Mitchell
Barry Richards
Kallis
Graeme Pollock
Barlow
Dudley Nourse (c)
Lindsay (w)
Peter Pollock \ Rice
Procter
Donald
Adcock
Apart from Nourse, all are from the 1950s and onwards.
Second XI:
Smith (c)
McGlew
Gary Kirsten
Cullinan
Eric Rowan
McMillan
Faulkner
Shaun Pollock
Boucher
Schwarz \ Vogler
de Villiers
Perhaps with only players whose careers are over or much closer to the end than beginning considered (ie, no Steyn, Duminy or ABdeV).
And STILL no room for such all-rounders as Goddard and such bowlers as Heine, Ntini and (if on uncovered wickets) Tayfield. Interesting how relatively few batsmen of excellence SA have had though.
