Benjy trumpets Vuvuzela during World Cup campaign

The distinctive horn has been the BUZZ word of the tournament and the instrument has captured the attention of football fans around the globe.

And Benjy Vanderbyl (29) - who lives in Derrykeighan - made sure he didn’t miss out by getting his family to send him a Vuvuzela to north Antrim. He has proudly blown it in support of South Africa in the World Cup and although his side is out of the competition he has been blasting away to attempt to replicate the ear-piercing stadium atmosphere.

But although Benjy can toot away on his Vuvuzela most of the time it is banned in his own house during World Cup matches! That’s because he and wife Adeline and kids Elisha (5) and Tamia (3) have a four-and-a-half months-old baby sister Akili.

As such Mrs Vanderbyl banned the Vuvuzela from Benjy’s living room during matches to protect the delicate ears of the baby!

But outside of the living room and without earshot of young Akili Benjy has been carrying his Vuvuzela - in the colours of South Africa - around with him.

And such is the interest in Vuvuzelas - one of Benjy’s friends made off with his Vuvuzela in recent days!

Benjy has now put in an order with his family for a replacement but in the mean time will have to make do with the sound of the Vuvuzela as an app on his phone.

He told the Times: “When the World Cup kicked off I wanted to join in the festivities and just had to get my own Vuvuzela. Whenever I was growing up it was part and parcel of going to watch a football match that you would blow a Vuvuzela just like chanting is in the English game.

“Even if you are sitting at home watching a game at home in South Africa people would blow them. It can be deafening if you blow them quite hard but I have got used to it.”

Benjy is from near Durban and supports Maritzburg who play in the top level of soccer in South Africa but it was in the sport of rugby which he made a name for himself and through his rugby he came to Northern Ireland nine years ago to play rugby for Coleraine and now coaches at Ballymoney Rugby Club and Dalriada School as well as being a self-employed sports facilitator.

Because of knee problems he is restricted to playing for Ballymoney Fourth XV.

Benjy said soccer is regarded as the third sport in South Africa after rugby and cricket but he said the nation openly embraced the World Cup and he was pleased South Africa was able to beat the 2006 World Cup Finalists France.

And he said the global appeal of the tournament meant there has been huge interest in all things South African and indeed African and he is pleased the Vuvuzela has gained popularity outside of his home continent.

So is there a technique in blowing the Vuvuzela?

Benjy said: “It is like blowing a trumpet but I like to blow mine from the side. If you are blowing one for 90 minutes you can get cracked and blistered lips.”

He said he had been carrying his Vuvuzela around north Antrim “for a bit of a laugh” but he is unsure if it will catch on at Ballymoney Rugby Club matches!