Otago defended the shield 22-3 at Carisbrook in 1950, with Bell scoring two tries and kicking two conversions and a penalty goal.
Bell (84) played two Ranfurly Shield games against Southland.
"They were always tough," he said. "The games were always hard-fought. I can't remember any game being easy."
Bell was a key member of the 1949 Otago team that defended the shield when 11 members of the 1948 side were in South Africa with the All Blacks. Vic Cavanagh was the coach. Charlie Saxton coached the team in 1950.
"Vic was a brilliant, but very hard, coach. If you didn't play to your best he would know and you would not get many more chances," Bell said. "We were expected to win."
Otago looked untouchable when it beat the Lions 23-9 and Southland 22-3 in 1950. But it lost the next game, and the Ranfurly Shield, to Canterbury 8-0.
"Charlie Saxton was disappointed when we lost the shield to Canterbury," Bell said.
"There was a mix-up in team selection and two changes were made the night before. We weren't helped by the referee."
There were always big crowds at Carisbrook for Ranfurly Shield games.
"The fans travelled by trains and buses from Southland and there was a parade from the railway station to Carisbrook," Bell recalled.
Haig (83) enjoyed travelling to Invercargill to play Southland.
"We drove down on the Friday and were welcomed at the ground on Saturday. We were like brothers," Haig recalled.
The Otago players were treated like kings. They had oyster soup after the game and went to parties in Invercargill on Saturday night.
"They took us to Bluff on Sunday where we had oyster-eating and beer-drinking competitions," Haig said.
"We returned home to Dunedin with muttonbirds and oysters."
Haig does not expect Otago to beat Southland tomorrow.
"Southland has unity, are a compact side and play with purpose," Haig said. "On performances this season they should win. But the ground will be heavy and Otago could surprise."
Bell felt Otago made too many silly mistakes when it lost to Counties-Manukau last weekend.
"The challenger always does something special and rises to the occasion," Bell said. "Southland will realise there are no easy shield games."
Bell and Haig will be watching the shield challenge on television in their lounges at home.
"I used to travel to Invercargill with three mates but I'm the only one left now," Bell said.
