Name: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Tshwane/ Pretoria
Built: 1906 (renovated in 2008)
Cost: N/A
Capacity: 50,000
Home to: Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United
WORLD CUP MATCHES
June 13, Serbia vs. Ghana
June 16, South Africa vs. Uruguay
June 19, Cameroon vs. Denmark
June 23, United States vs. Algeria
June 25, Chile vs. Spain
June 29, Round of 16 match
Trivia: South Africa achieved its first-ever win over a European side at the Loftus Versfeld with a 1-0 win over Sweden in 1999.
VENUE INFORMATION
The stadium was named after Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, the
founder of organized sports in Pretoria, and happens to be one of
the oldest stadiums in South Africa.
Home to the famous Blue Bulls of rugby fame, the Loftus Versfeld has hosted a number of signficant matches, including the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 1996 African Cup.
While the grounds are over a century old, improvements and renovations have been ongoing throughout the stadium's history.
CITY INFORMATION
The capital city of South Africa, Pretoria is a rich blend
of old and new that never seems to be able to define itself. While
the city is one of the main locales for government and legislature,
it is also an exciting blend of urban sprawl and metropolitan flair
within the city limits. Pretoria, also called Tshwane in the local
dialect, is home to scores of museums, art centers, music halls,
monuments and other historical buildings. With 2.3 million
inhabitants, it is also the fifth largest city in South Africa.
HISTORY
In 1855, Dutch settlers made Pretoria the first capital of
South Africa and it has remained so ever since. Pretoria is also
comprised of a number of smaller cities and towns, all contributing
to its rich and eclectic persona. If you’re looking for
variety, then Pretoria is the place for you.
ACCOMODATION
At the center of Pretoria is Church Square, a popular
meeting place for tourists and locals alike who want to take in all
that the city has on offer. But the most famous buildings in
Pretoria are the prominent Union Buildings which are the venue for
national ceremonies and also played host to the inauguration of
Nelson Mandela as president in April of 1994.
If you wish to get out of the city a bit and stretch your legs, you can’t go wrong visiting the The Voortrekker Monument. Nestled in the surrounding hills, this special site pays homage to the European settlers and farmers who escaped colonial oppression in the 1800’s.
