Iconic Stadium unveils world-class, locally-made LED lighting system for Springbok Test
Loftus Versfeld, one of the most historic and revered cathedrals in world rugby, is stepping into the future.
Fans attending the highly anticipated Springbok vs Scotland Test match on Saturday will be the very first to experience a state-of-the-art, multi-million rand lighting system designed to transform match-day entertainment.
The massive overhaul, which took just under two months to complete, saw South African lighting specialists Afrison completely replace all 272 of the stadium’s legacy floodlights. Every single light on the iconic corner pylons, canopies, and stands has been swapped out for cutting-edge, energy-efficient LED technology.
For the first time in Loftus history, custom-built colour showlights have also been installed on the East and West canopies, paving the way for immersive light shows.
Signing the landmark lighting deal are, from left, Hugo Kemp (Loftus Versfeld stadium and operations manager), Van Rooy van den Berg (Afrison founder and CEO), Edgar Rathbone (Blue Bulls Company CEO) and Johan Klein (Afrison director).
The project became a showcase of local innovation. With traditional stadium bulbs facing global discontinuation and strict regulations surrounding the importation of fully assembled commercial LED systems, Afrison manufactured the hardware right here in South Africa. The new fixtures boast 70% local component composition, importing only the specialised silicon microchips and drivers where no local supplier exists.
Van Rooy van den Berg, Afrison Founder and CEO, believes in the strength of local engineering: “As a proudly South African luminaire manufacturer with 15 years of industry experience, Afrison understands the unique demands of our environment. Our lighting systems are engineered to withstand local conditions and consistently deliver world-class performance where it matters most.”
The technical upgrade is immense. The old lights struggled at 1300 lux (a measure of light intensity) and took up to 30 minutes just to warm up. Afrison’s new system guarantees a uniform, shadow-free 2000 lux across every blade of grass, instantly activating at the touch of a button from a central control room. This level of brightness matches strict international and high-definition broadcast standards, ensuring television viewers at home get a crystal-clear picture while live fans enjoy unparalleled visibility.
To completely remove the risk of power grid disruptions, Afrison has built a dedicated fibre-optic ring network to control the system via a secure local area network (LAN). Crucially, the entire system will run entirely off heavy-duty back-up generators from the opening whistle of major fixtures.
The upgrade comes via a unique 20-year lease agreement between the Blue Bulls Company and Afrison. Rather than a standard equipment purchase, Afrison remains a long-term partner, handling all ongoing maintenance and providing dedicated technical teams on-site during every game day.
Edgar Rathbone, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company, expressed his pride in the project: “Loftus Versfeld is steeped in history, but keeping a world-class stadium relevant means embracing the future. Our partnership with Afrison ensures that we are not only providing our fans and broadcasters with the absolute best visual experience possible, but we are doing it through a sustainable, locally engineered solution. Launching these lights at a Springbok Test match is the perfect celebration of South African innovation.”
Johan Klein, Director of Afrison, reflected on the immense pressure and pride behind the project: “When you are tasked with changing the look and feel of a venue as iconic as Loftus, you don’t take it lightly. When people ask if I was nervous, my answer is simple: obviously! This was a race against time, but our team pulled off a massive feat. We’ve brought this legendary ground up to international standards using mostly South African hands and components. We cannot wait to see the stadium erupt in colour and light on Saturday.”
Beyond the dramatic visual upgrade, the shift to LED lights drastically cuts the stadium’s carbon footprint, drawing significantly less power than the outdated system and marking a massive step forward in making Loftus Versfeld a greener, more sustainable venue.
