Geldenhuys represented the Bulls (Northern Transvaal) in 184 matches captaining the team in 54 outings. In addition to this he has played in 11 Currie Cup finals, winning six and drawing two.

The legendary Springbok and Blue Bull is currently farming in the Kroonstad area and he set aside a few minutes of his time to speak to the website.

You have played in so many matches, are there any one that stood out?

All the finals were very special and obviously the ones that we won will always be in my memory but if I had to single out one match it will be the 1980 Currie Cup final at Loftus Versfeld when we clapped the WP 39-9.

The 1977 final against the Free State was also very special. It was my first final and we hammered the Free State 27-12.

Who was Northern Transvaal's toughest opponent in you era?

Definitely the WP.

Who were your hardest direct opponents in those years?

I would say Japie Wessels and Gerrie Sonekus, who both played for the Free State, were the best flanks that I have played against.

Who of the current SA loose forwards impress you?

Juan Smith is the best of them all. I am not a big Schalk Burger fan, but the Sharks' Ryan Kankowski caught my eye – I think he is a very good player.

If you were a Bulls selector, who will be your loose trio for 2009's Super 14?

Pedrie Wannenburg is our best number 8 although he was out of form in 2008. He must get back to full fitness and then I will go with Pierre Spies at 7. You also need a grinder in the trio and therefore I will go with Deon Stegmann as my openside flank. I think Danie Rossouw is better suited to play at lock than in the loose trio.

Do you still get to watch games at Loftus?

I am rarely in Pretoria and as a result I seldom attend the games. Nowadays I play golf over the weekends and I am playing off a 6 handicap!

Do you still have contact with some of your former team mates?

Oh yes. I speak on a regular basis to guys like Johan Heunis, Tommy du Plessis and Naas Botha.

What made the Bulls/ Northern Transvaal so special in the late 1970's and throughout the 80's?

Much of what is true today was true then.

We were the number 1 enemy of all the other teams and it was if the whole country was against us.

This was also true for our supporters. The other supporters never liked the Blue Bulls' supporters but that made them even more loyal.

The fact that the rest of the country did not like us moulded the team as a very tight knit unit and it made us even more determined to perform. We knew how to stick with one another and that made us dangerous. We had a very special bond in the team and I see that same brotherhood in our current team.

Tell us about coach Buurman van Zyl

"Oom" Buurman was a highly successful coach who won the Currie Cup on 9 occasions. His people skills were remarkable and he knew exactly how to work with a rugby player.

He also had the ability to spot a rugby player and once he selected you, he remained loyal to you.

His ability to recognize talent was unmatched – he was like an Oubaas Markotter of yester year.

He did not teach us a lot about rugby, but he worked with us and we played for him. He selected me and I wanted to perform for him.

Is it true that you ate lots of ice cream before a match?

Yes! Oom Buurman believed I was at my best when I had ice cream and it usually was a scramble to get ice cream at breakfast. In those days we did not worry too much about what to eat and what not to eat. I liked ice cream and the coach said I must have some before we play.

Tell us about your family?

I am happily married to Maralize. We have three kids; Marali (17), Adriani (7) and we have a 7-year-old boy Adriaan.

What you think the Bulls can have a successful Super 14 campaign?

I think we can win the competition.

We have the players and we've got the team. The team is a settled unit and I see no reason why we can't win our second title!



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