Next week, Loftus Versfeld is going to look, sound and feel a little different. When the Vodacom Bulls host the 10bet Lions in the Vodacom URC on October 10, the super-charged derby will be played for something bigger than the log points.
The Vodacom Bulls are throwing their weight behind I Love Boobies, the South African non-profit that fights the under-diagnosis of breast cancer. Founded in 2016, it takes education and clinical screenings to women with limited money and limited access to medical care. Early detection saves lives, and this match is about getting the message in front of as many people as possible.
And there will be no missing it. The I Love Boobies logo and messaging will be all over the build-up, from marketing and media to the big screen and the LED boards. The MC will drive the message through the afternoon, and SuperSport will carry the message to viewers at home. The pre-game entertainment will be built around the day too.
The D Field activation area is where fans can get stuck in. There will be pink-themed merchandise (bottles, armbands and caps), photo and content spots, awareness areas, competitions and plenty of fun. Fans can even get their hair sprayed pink. It’s a good place to get the whole family involved before kick-off.
Fans can also give directly. QR codes and SnapScan donation links will appear on the big screen and the LEDs, and at the D Field activations. Every scan supports the work of I Love Boobies.
There are personal touches on the field as well. A pamper zone will host two patients, survivors or winners, and the guest lists will include sponsors, supporters, season ticket holders, suite owners and suppliers. VIP guests will be on the brand-new Amstel Terrace, and everyone else will sit in a pre-allocated block. Guests of I Love Boobies get a discount code, so bring friends and fill the stands with pink.
After the final whistle, the try poster board will be used for autographs, a human pixel canvas that fans can help create.
So put on something pink, bring your people and get to Loftus early. The teams will spend 80 minutes fighting for the win, and everyone in the stadium will be on the same side for the cause.
