Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Pretoria, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 50,000 and is an all seater venue. 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. It is also the home of two major rugby union teams: City motto: Praestantia Praevaleat Pretoria (May Pretoria Be Pre-eminent In Excellence) Province Gauteng Mayor Smangaliso Mkhatshwa Area  - % water 1,644 km² 0. ... Rugby union is a team sport that was developed from the rules used to play football at Rugby School in England. ...

• The Blue Bulls, representing Pretoria and Limpopo Province in South Africa's primary domestic competition, the Currie Cup.
• The Bulls, which represent the same region, plus the East Rand, in the Southern Hemisphere Super 14 competition.

Loftus as seen from the air

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 stadiums 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. Blue Bulls logo The Vodacom Blue Bulls is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. ... Capital Polokwane Largest city Polokwane Area  - Total Ranked 5th 123,900 km² Premier Mbhazima Shilowa (ANC) Population   - 2001   - 1996   - Density (2001) Ranked 4th 5,273,637 4,929,368 43/km² (Ranked 3rd) Languages Races Black (97. ... This article is about the rugby competition. ... The Bulls are a South African Rugby Union team competing in the Super 14 competition. ... A map of Gauteng, showing the East Rand. ... The current Super 14 logo The Super 14 is a rugby union championship competed for by teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. ... Image File history File links Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. ... Image File history File links Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Konica Minolta Co. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Vodacom is a South African based mobile telecommunications company, and was the first mobile telecommunications company in South Africa. ...

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. 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

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. 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... A Silver fern emblem was first used by the 1893 side that toured Australia. ...

When Mr Loftus Versfeld passed away 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. 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. 1932 (MCMXXXII) is a leap year starting on Friday. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) is a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Minimal upgrading will be required for Loftus Versfeld to qualify as a venue for first and second round matches for the 2010 World Cup, but the floodlights, sound system, and scoreboards will all be improved. The Rainbow Junction will be built north of Pretoria to act as the second venue in 2010. The 2010 Football World Cup will take place in South Africa. ... Rainbow Junction will be a new sports complex comprising a stadium and a attached indoor sports arena to be built on a underdeveloped agricultural smallholding north of Pretoria, South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. ...

External links

• Vodacom Website
• Website for Vodacom Blue Bulls and Bulls Super 14
• Securicor Website