In August of 1949 Eksteen and his father travelled to Pretoria to support their beloved Northern Transvaal who played against the touring All Blacks. Hansie Brewis and Fonnie du Toit were Northern Transvaal’s half-back pairing for the match.

The New Zealanders won the encounter 6-3 and Eksteen and his father were sitting behind the poles on the North pavilion.

Eksteen, who is a former Director-General of the SABC and South African ambassador, set aside a few minutes to speak to bluebulls.co.za

Which game that was played at Loftus do you like to remember best?

The one in which Northern Transvaal gave Natal a massive hiding. I think the score was something like 62-6! It was on the 27th of July in 1991’s Lion Cup final.

Where did your love for the game and Northern Transvaal come from?
It came from my cousin Daan Eksteen who played for the Northern Transval under 19 team in the 1950’s.

What is the most outstanding incident that you remember?
Burger Geldenhuys’ right hook on Andy Dalton. It was in 1986 and Northerns were playing against the New Zealand Cavaliers.

Biggest disappointment?
I am currently living in Namibia and I can’t attend matches at Loftus any more. I am particularly disappointed that I can’t watch the Bulls Babes in action – where were they all these years when I was younger!?

Which Northern Transvaal team do you consider as the best that you have seen?
I can’t answer that. I have been oversees for many years and I won’t be able to give an unbiased answer.

What was the tensest match that you have watched?
1987’s Currie Cup final. Naas Botha scored six points in the last two minutes to lead Northern Transvaal to an emphatic 24-18 victory. I had numerous bets on the match, including a bet worth 12 bottles of whiskey with Dr Louis Luyt. The bottles were delivered on the Monday!

Any other bets?
Between 1981 and 1990 Dr Deon de Wet of Cape Town and I constantly bet on the WP / Northern Transvaal matches. There was always a case of red wine up for grabs.

You have made lots of friends with people involved with Northen Transvaal rugby. Where there any others? Without a doubt Jan (Bull) Pickard. For ten years, before every WP/Northern Transvaal match we had lunch together. After these matches we socialised for hours on end and I must say that he is a host par excellence and a marvellous friend, although it was sometimes difficult to understand his Paarl accent.

You lived in Cape Town for four years. Have you every considered supporting another team?
No, never!

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