the blue bulls (blue bulls rugby union) or blou bulle (afrikaans) was formed in 1938 as the northern transvaal rugby union (n.t.r.u.). prior to the formation of the union, the region's clubs were under the jurisdiction of the then transvaal rugby union (now golden lions rugby union). northern transvaal (under the ntru), captained by danie craven, played its first home game as an independent union on 28 may 1938. the game against the orange free state team ended in a draw, 11:11. in its first 75 years, the team competed for the currie cup in 55 seasons, and won 23 currie cup titles in 53 finals. in the same period 127 springboks hailed from the union, and it won 3 super rugby titles.