It is with pride and humility that the Blue Bulls Rugby Union celebrates its 70th
anniversary – pride because of the achievements by the players of the former
Northern Transvaal and the Blue Bulls; humility that the dreams of those who
strived for an independent union have been successfully pursued. Blue Bulls: 70 Years of Glory is not meant to be a reference book; it is the story of how the union was established and how it developed over 70 years.
The highlights – and the lowlights – are documented, including the achievements on the field, in the boardrooms of South Africa and indeed the world; the role of our schools and the hiccups during the transition to professionalism. The role of the referees, the supporters and the clubs are combined in this story of unity; a story of what has become one big family, where the union is so very close to its supporters.
It is no coincidence that the Blue Bulls are the only South African side to have won the Vodacom Super 14 competition. Or that the Northern Transvaal and the Blue Bulls have won the Currie Cup 18 out of the 48 times it was contested in the Blue Bulls Rugby Union’s 70 years of existence, playing in 30 of the 48 finals, winning 18 and drawing 4.
But much more than this, this story of Northern Transvaal and the Blue Bulls is a tribute to those whose hard work and service has carried the union over the years. Richly illustrated with archival and current photographs and full of the statistics that rugby fans love to trade in the pub, this will be the ideal present for men this Christmas.