Loftus Versfeld Stadium

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Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Photo courtesy Gauteng Tourism Authority

There are few sights in South African sport quite as impressive – and as intimidating – as a stadium full of Blue Bulls supporters. Particularly when that stadium is Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. When the local Blue Bulls franchise team takes to the field at Loftus, residents of rugby-mad Pretoria turn out in force, clad in blue and sporting horned helmets.

The stadium has a long history – it is one of the country’s oldest stadiums and has hosted sporting events since 1903. It was only in the early 1920s, however, that the first stadium, a 2 000-seat concrete structure, was erected on what was then the Eastern Sports Ground. The stadium was later renamed after the founder of organised rugby in Pretoria, Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld.

Aerial view of Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Photo courtesy Gauteng Tourism Authority

Loftus Versfeld has been through numerous renovations since those days. The first major renovation was carried out in 1948, after enough money was raised through the All Blacks’ tour to finance the upgrade. More recently, Loftus underwent a major facelift ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Its seating capacity was increased to 50 000, a new roof was erected over the eastern pavilion, a new VIP seating area was built and the lighting and power systems were upgraded.

Loftus is primarily a rugby stadium. It is home to Super Rugby and Absa Currie Cup giants the Blue Bulls. It played host during the 1995 Rugby World Cup and hosted the second Test between the Springboks and British and Irish Lions in June 2009 (the British and Irish Lions only tour the country every 12 years).

Pretoria-based Premier Soccer League clubs Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United also call Loftus their home. The stadium hosted the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. However, in soccer circles, Loftus is perhaps best remembered as the place where the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, registered its first victory over European opposition by beating Sweden 1-0 in the 1999 Nelson Mandela Challenge.

In addition to hosting soccer and rugby matches, Loftus has also been the venue of memorable concerts by some of the world’s premier entertainers, such as UB40 and Italian master tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who performed on the stadium’s pitch to bumper crowds.