From the match programme:-
"Welcome to the Northern Bulls by Willis Huntley"
"The Northern Bulls, who are making their first appearance at Newport come from Northern Transvaal, a province famous for producing outstand ing players who have distinguished themselves in the South African dark green jersey."
"In fact, seven players from Northern Transvaal were in the South African team who came to Wales in 1996 and three of them were selected to play against Wales in Cardiff where the Springboks won 37-20."
"Today the Northern Bulls have a strong squad including a number of current Springboks. They include Schutte Bekker (Captain), Franco Smith and Andre Snyman who played against Wales at Wembley and England at Twickenham not long before Christmas."
"A few seasons ago Transvaal played at Newport and fielded an exceptionally powerful combination which included Springboks Thee van Rensburg and James Small who had played for South Africa against England a few weeks earlier."
"Transvaal, who had usually done well in the Currie Cup competition, had in their squad Barlie Swart, a prop forward who had played for Ebbw 'vale in a number of matches before the introduction of professionalism in Wales."
"Members of the Northern Bulls will undoubtedly be taken to Newport Rugby Club's trophy room. There they will see a stuffed Springbok head presented to Newport after they had beaten South Africa before the first world war."
"Newport also achieved a notable victory over the 1969 Springboks, winning 11-6 through tries by Alan Skirving and David Cornwall and a penalty goal and conversion by their Captain John Anthony."
"The Northern Bulls are a powerful combination, and they will be determined to prevent Newport gaining another victorv over a South African team."
"By Robin Davey"
"(Chief rugby writer South Wales Argus)"
"SLOWLY but surely, Newport are making their presence felt on the Welsh rugby front and beyond."
"After years of at best stagnation and at worst decline, Newport are beginning to improve and gain a bit of recognition."
"They have come a long way this season considering they started it just four day's after learning they would be back in the Premier Division rather than the First Division when they were relegated at the end of last season."
"Clearly their squad was ill equipped to do the new job demanded of them. New director of rugby Allan Lewis had to embark on a period of quiet but steady recruitment once the club had been stabilised by another new man, chief executive Tony Brown and his board."
"Players arrived from all parts - Brad Clark, Matt Cardey and Steve Moore from New Zealand, Kyle Nichols from Canada, Jason Critchley from England and Andrew Gibbs, Alan Harris and Stuart Roy from Wales among others."
"And then there was the development of home grown youngsters like AlixPopham; Matthew Watkins, Scott Mitchell and Gareth King."
"More steel is needed, but there are definite signs, there is a positive indication that the corner is being turned. And recognition of Newport’s efforts is being given on a wider front. The South Wales Argus has already championed Newport’s cause to be given super status by the Welsh Rugby Union."
"But others are jumping on to the bandwagon. That respected Sunday Times rugby correspondent Stephen Jones wrote just three days ago that it would be utter nonsense not to have Newport as a super club."
"And HTV pair Nigel Walker and Alan Wilkins are regularly blowing the trumpet on their programme. No one is pretending Newport are really ready to take on the big boys, and Swansea in the cup will be the acid test. But there is every reason to believe they are on the way back and better times lie ahead."