Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is centrally located towards the east of the city of Pretoria. It is just under 2 kilometres southeast of the Union Buildings and about 3 kilometres east of the Central Business District.
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 team takes to the field at Loftus, residents of rugby-mad Pretoria turn out in force, clad in blue and sporting horned helmets.
History of Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld is one of the South Africa’s oldest stadiums and has a long sporting history. It has hosted sporting events since 1903 when the field was simply called the Eastern Sports Ground. The first modest stadium, comprising one concrete stand, was built by the City Council in 1923. The original structure could only accommodate 2000 spectators and did not have proper sports facilities. In 1928, mostly because of the All Blacks tour to South Africa that year, the Pretoria sub-union made a large profit which they used to erect changing rooms and toilets.
In 1932, the stadium was named after Mr Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, the founder of organised sports in Pretoria and a man who dedicated many years of his life to rugby union. When Mr Loftus Versfeld died suddenly in May 1932, the Pretoria sub-union renamed the Eastern Sports Ground after him as a tribute to a man that had done so much to develop sport in the area.
From 1948, Loftus Versfeld was gradually further developed and in particular in the 1970s underwent several expansions. By the 1980s, the stadium had reached most of its current shape. 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.
Through the years the stadium has undergone various name changes as sponsors came and went, though locals have always referred to the stadium as Loftus Versfeld. From 11 June 1998 to 4 February 2003 the stadium was officially named Minolta Loftus after Minolta had become the stadium's name sponsor. Sponsorship was taken over by security giant Securicor, who announced the name Securicor Loftus on the 5th of February 2003. On the 1st of September 2005, the renaming process went full circle when cellular provider Vodacom, taking over sponsorship from Securicor, renamed the stadium back to the original Loftus Versfeld.
Present
Loftus Versfeld 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 also hosted the second Test between the Springboks and British and Irish Lions in June 2009 (the British and Irish Lions only tour South Africa 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 and in 2010, Loftus Versfeld hosted five first round group matches and the round of 16 match between Paraguay and Japan of the FIFA World Cup. 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 rugby and soccer matches, Loftus has also been the venue for 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.
About this cache:
The cache is a micro across the road from Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the famous heartland of rugby. It should be a quick grab if you follow the hint!
Die cache is 'n mikro oorkant Loftus, die hartland van rugby. Dit is makliker vir Afrikaans-sprekendes!
The owner of the property has given permission for the cache to be placed here but is unaware of its exact location.
THIS IS AN AREA OF EXTREMELY HIGH MUGGLE ACTIVITY AT TIMES. PLEASE USE STEALTH!
BONUS POINTS AWARDED TO THOSE WHO DO IT ON MATCH DAYS!!!