Loftus Versfeld Stadium facts for kids
Loftus Versfeld during a Super Rugby encounter between the Bulls and the Sharks.
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| Full name | Loftus Versfeld Stadium |
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| Former names | Minolta Loftus, Securicor Loftus |
| Location | 440 Kirkness Street, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 25°45′12″S 28°13′22″E / 25.75333°S 28.22278°E |
| Public transit | Hatfield (Gautrain station) |
| Owner | Blue Bulls Rugby Union |
| Capacity | 51,762 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1905 |
| Built | 1906–1923 |
| Opened | 1923 |
| Renovated | 1977 |
| Expanded | 2008 |
| Tenants | |
| Blue Bulls (Currie Cup) Bulls (United Rugby Championship) Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. (Premiership) |
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Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a famous sports ground in Pretoria, South Africa. It is owned by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union. This stadium can hold 51,762 people, making it a very large venue.
It is the home field for several important sports teams. The Bulls rugby team plays here in the United Rugby Championship. The Blue Bulls also play their Currie Cup rugby matches at Loftus Versfeld. For soccer fans, the Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. team, who are champions of the African Football league, also call this stadium home.
Loftus Versfeld has hosted many big games. This includes the 2009 Super 14 Final and the 2009 Currie Cup final. It also hosted the 2024 United Rugby Championship final. The South Africa national rugby union team has played many international matches here against teams like New Zealand, Australia, England, and Ireland. In 2010, it was one of the stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The stadium is located high up, about 1,350 meters above sea level.
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History of Loftus Versfeld Stadium
The stadium is named after Robert Loftus Owen Versfeld. He was a very important person who helped start organised sports in Pretoria. Even though the stadium's official name changed a few times because of sponsors, most local people always called it "Loftus."
The area where the stadium stands was first used for sports in 1906. Back then, it was just called the Eastern Sports Ground. The first concrete building was put up by the city in 1923. This early structure could only fit 2,000 people and did not have good sports facilities.
In 1928, the Pretoria rugby group made a lot of money from a tour by the All Blacks. They used this money to build changing rooms and toilets.
When Mr. Loftus Versfeld passed away in May 1932, the Pretoria rugby group decided to rename the Eastern Sports Ground after him. This was a way to honour his memory. Since then, it has been known as Loftus Versfeld Stadium. The stadium has been improved many times over the years, including a big upgrade in 1984.
Pitch Quality at the Stadium
Sometimes, the playing field, or pitch, at Loftus Versfeld has been talked about. In January 2025, some people felt the pitch was not in the best condition. This was after a big soccer game between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. The pitch had been used a lot for rugby and other events before that match.
Major Tournament Matches
Loftus Versfeld has been chosen to host many important sports tournaments.
1995 Rugby World Cup Games
The stadium hosted several matches during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
| Date | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 May 1995 |  France |
38–10 |  Tonga |
Pool D | 25,000 |
| 30 May 1995 |  Scotland |
41–5 | Tonga |
Pool D | 21,000 |
| 3 June 1995 | France |
22–19 | Scotland |
Pool D | 40,000 |
| 11 June 1995 |  New Zealand |
48–30 | Scotland |
Quarter-finals | 20,000 |
| 22 June 1995 | France |
19–9 |  England |
Third-place play-off | 45,000 |
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Games
Loftus Versfeld was one of the stadiums used for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. It hosted three Group B matches.
| Date | Time (SAST) | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 June 2009 | 20:30 |  United States |
1–3 |  Italy |
Group B | 34,341 |
| 18 June 2009 | 16:00 | 0–3 |  Brazil |
39,617 | ||
| 21 June 2009 | 20:30 | Italy |
0–3 | 41,195 |
2010 FIFA World Cup Games
The stadium received some upgrades to be ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Improvements were made to the floodlights, sound system, scoreboards, and stadium roof. Roads and parking around the stadium were also improved. The renovations were finished in January 2009.
| Date | Time (SAST) | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 June 2010 | 16:00 |  Serbia |
0–1 |  Ghana |
Group D | 38,833 |
| 16 June 2010 | 20:30 |  South Africa |
0–3 |  Uruguay |
Group A | 42,658 |
| 19 June 2010 | 20:30 |  Cameroon |
1–2 |  Denmark |
Group E | 38,074 |
| 23 June 2010 | 16:00 | United States |
1–0 |  Algeria |
Group C | 35,827 |
| 25 June 2010 | 20:30 |  Chile |
1–2 |  Spain |
Group H | 41,958 |
| 29 June 2010 | 16:00 |  Paraguay |
0–0 (a.e.t.) (5–3 pen.) |
 Japan |
Round of 16 | 36,742 |
Concerts and Other Events
Loftus Versfeld is not just for sports. It has also hosted many exciting music concerts. Famous artists like UB40 and Robbie Williams have performed here. Robbie Williams' concert in 2006 had over 60,000 fans! Canadian singer Celine Dion also performed two nights in 2008, with about 80,000 people attending.
In 1999, a huge show of Verdi's opera Aida took place at the stadium. It featured hundreds of local performers along with international musicians and singers.
Boxing Matches
The stadium has also been a venue for boxing. On October 20, 1979, a big boxing match happened here. South African boxer Gerrie Coetzee fought American heavyweight John Tate for a world title. About 80,000 people watched the fight. Even with huge support, Coetzee lost the match.
Cricket Games
Between 1956 and 1959, six first-class cricket matches were played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
See also
In Spanish: Estadio Loftus Versfeld para niños
- List of African stadiums by capacity
- List of rugby union stadiums by capacity
- Lists of stadiums
