Loftus Versfeld Stadium


Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and football stadium situated in the Arcadia suburb of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and it is occasionally used for football matches.
The stadium is the home ground of the Bulls franchise of the Super Rugby tournament and the Blue Bulls union in South Africa's Currie Cup. It also hosted the 2009 Super 14 Final which the Bulls won 61–17 against the Waikato Chiefs, and the 2009 Currie Cup final, which the Bulls went on to win 36–24 against the Free State Cheetahs.
Also, the South Africa national rugby union team has played several test matches at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. They played New Zealand in 1970, 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2006, Australia in 1967, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2010 and 2012, England in 1994, 2000 and 2007, and Ireland in 1998.
In June 2010, the stadium hosted opening round games and one game of the round of 16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

History

The stadium was named after Robert Loftus Owen Versfeld, the founder of organized sports in Pretoria. 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 became the stadium's name sponsor. Sponsorship was taken over by security giant Securicor, who announced the name Securicor Loftus on 5 February 2003. On 1 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.
, June 2010
The site of the stadium was first used for sports in 1906, and the field was simply called the Eastern Sports Ground. The first concrete structure was erected there 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.
When Mr Loftus Versfeld died suddenly in May 1932 the Pretoria sub-union renamed the Eastern Sports Ground after him as a tribute. The stadium has been known as Loftus Versfeld Stadium ever since. It has been upgraded on several occasions, most recently in 1984, when the Northern Pavilion received an upgrade.

Major tournament matches

1995 Rugby World Cup

Loftus hosted some matches during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
DateTeam 1ResultTeam 2RoundAttendance
26 May 199538–10Pool D25,000
30 May 199541–5Pool D21,000
3 June 199522–19Pool D40,000
11 June 199548–30Quarter-finals20,000
22 June 199519–9Third-place play-off45,000

2009 FIFA Confederations Cup

Loftus Versfeld was one of the venues for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. It hosted the Group B matches USA vs. Italy, USA vs. Brazil and Brazil vs. Italy.
DateTime Team 1ResultTeam 2RoundAttendance
15 June 200920:301–3Group B34,341
18 June 200916:000–3Group B39,617
21 June 200920:300–3Group B41,195

2010 FIFA World Cup

Minimal upgrading was undertaken in order for Loftus Versfeld to qualify as a venue for first and second round matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The floodlights, sound system, scoreboards and stadium roof were improved, as roads and parking facilities around it. While expected to be finished in August 2008, renovation was completed in January 2009.
DateTime Team 1ResultTeam 2RoundAttendance
13 June 201016:000–1Group D38,833
16 June 201020:300–3Group A42,658
19 June 201020:30 Cameroon1–2Group E38,074
23 June 201016:001–0 AlgeriaGroup C35,827
25 June 201020:30 Chile1–2 SpainGroup H41,958
29 June 201016:00 Paraguay0–0
JapanRound of 1636,742

Concerts

The stadium has hosted many musical events including concerts by UB40 and Robbie Williams' Close Encounters Tour on 17 April 2006 with an attendance of over 60,000. Canadian superstar Celine Dion also performed as part of her Taking Chances Tour a two-night stand at the stadium on 16 and 17 February 2008 with a total attendance of about 80,000.
1999 Staging of Verdi's Aida. A cast of 00's formed the backing for international musicians and singers.

Boxing

On 20 October 1979, South African Heavyweight boxer Gerrie Coetzee challenged the unbeaten American Heavyweight John Tate for the vacant WBA World Heavyweight title in front of a crowd of 80,000 people. Despite massive support within the stadium Coetzee lost on points to the American.

Cricket

Between 1956 and 1959 six first-class cricket matches were played at the stadium.