Professor van Rensburg is a very solid and respectable scholar, who likely is widely known among Reformed practical theologians. He is also, as you've discovered, a very friendly and accessible individual. Through a Google search, you would be able do discover a few of his articles online, all of which reflect his theolgical integrity and pastoral acumen. The Free State faculty of theology is considerably newer, smaller, and less widely known than its peer Dutch Reformed faculties at Pretoria and Stellenbosch. However, I believe that both it and the university of which it is a part are on the rise.
Thank you for this information. I appreciate it. I am glad process of locating a supervisor has come to an end. Of all the SA schools I had initially contacted, Free State, Natal and (in review) Vista were positive. I look forward to beginning. They have my CV and should be receiving all my transcripts this or early next week. I am almost half way through with CCHS so I shouldn't be too busy when I begin my doctoral dissertation.
Thanks. I hope this all goes well. It seems everytime I make a decision regarding higher education something goes wrong. Chose Bethany while pursuing TRACS accreditation then they dropped out; choose Golden State Sch. of Theol. as they were pursuing DETC then they dropped out; had dissertation in review at Vista then they decided not to accept anymore apps due to merger, etc., etc., etc. Maybe my ship has finally come in.