Well, our friend Manlybok was kind enough to forward a link to me from the Sydney Morning Herald, describing the Fear of God that Loftus holds to visiting Teams… enjoy!
Exact Extract of Article:
Thin white line between heaven and hell on the Highveld
The atmosphere is electric at Loftus Versfeld, writes Rupert Guinness in Cape Town.
When Waratahs prop Al Baxter first played at Loftus Versfeld, perhaps the world’s most intimidating stadium, he got the fright of his life – literally.
It happened 10 years ago, on his Super 12 debut, as he sat on the Waratahs reserves bench while Matt Burke prepared to kick for goal.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning burst from the heavens and struck the end of the grandstand. After hearing all the anecdotes that have been passed on from year to year between players about the hostility of the fans towards visiting teams when playing in the Highveld of South Africa, the sound of thunder and the sudden flash across the sky was the most unexpected of scares for Baxter.
”The game actually nearly got called off because midway through the afternoon a soccer game was hit by lightning and a couple of players [in it] were killed,” Baxter said. ”The lightning hit the end of the stand, and everyone hit the ground. I was sitting on the bench, and everyone sort of flinched. But there’s some great vision of ‘Burkey’ and the referee doing massive flinches as you would when lightning hits a couple of hundred metres away. The crowd was far less intimidating than the weather conditions at the time.”
Fortunately, all those who watched, played and refereed during the wet and stormy weather that prevailed during the game survived unscathed, and the Waratahs held their composure to emerge 33-13 winners, a rare highlight in a season in which they finished a disappointing ninth.
Since then lightning has been a constant threat. So, too, has Loftus Versfeld maintained its reputation as a stadium that can intimidate the most hardened of touring teams.
The Waratahs might say they have learnt to harness the hostility and ferocity of an Afrikaans welcome as a positive. However, while they were able to return there in 2002 and leave with a 51-19 win, the result book shows the Bulls to be the side to have come out on top in the vast majority of their clashes at Loftus Versfeld.
On a ground surrounded by grandstands that encroach right up to – and almost over – the touchlines, the Waratahs have lost on every other visit.
However, it is not just the monolithic structure and shadows of a stadium that can be daunting, but the 50,000-capacity local crowd.
Visiting players need to develop a thick skin to survive the traditional tirade of abuse they receive – sometimes from unexpected quarters. Baxter still remembers 2004 when ground announcer Rian van Heerden introduced the Waratahs as ”sheep rooters” and sledged them in English.
”Someone had just scored a try. There was a break in play, then it came over the PA. We shook our heads and had a bit of a laugh,” Baxter said.
The Waratahs had the last laugh, too – van Heerden was sacked as ground announcer soon after.
Waratahs outside-centre Tom Carter smiles when he remembers his first and only game at the Bulls’ home ground in 2008 when NSW lost 16-13.
Carter still sees clearly his first impression of the speed and flight of a ball in high altitude off the boot of Morne Steyn and former Springboks five-eighth Derick Hougaard.
But for Carter, one who is renowned for giving his share of lip on field, it is more so the crowd that makes Loftus Versfeld ”one of the most daunting places to play football in the world”. ”On the Highveld, they love football. But it is more the crowd and intensity from when you drive in and how parochial they are. They are the most passionate and intense fans. They would die for their rugby.”
He he he
Ja,Roftus is ‘n great stadion met great gees !!!
Een van die beste in SA…
Nou ja toe, julle ander manne kan nou maar op die bandwagon klim en vertel hoe julle mishandel is op die oos pawiljoen… 😆
1@ Blouste – Netso…
Morning RT talkers 😀
Yip, Loftus does look very intimidating for any team that plays there.
Tahs, wont be relishing the thought of this weekends game.
Hi Puma…
Trust you are doing well.
And they have’nt even mentioned something about blue bodies and horns …dissapointing 🙁
Morné Steyn’s penalty for the Blue Bulls minutes before full-time in last year’s Currie Cup semi-final at Newlands cost WP R10m.
Great work Morne otherwise they would have bought Bakkies too, although that would not be enough.
Yes read that aswell…
People underestimate the financial gain from hosting semi’s and finals !!!
4 – Morning Blouste, I am well, hope you are too.
5 – Yip, those blue horns…..hahaha. Now they do look fearsome wearing those. 😀
Will try and go to a game there before I leave Joburg. Maybe the Canes game. That I think will be a huge game at Loftus.
Yes Puma
All well thanks.
Yes that should be a biggie…
Do you reckon your sharkies can turn it around on tour ?
Well this happens every year at least once, either when a S14 team plays the bulls or when the Aussies visit.
It was a lame attempt and I really thought he would add some more on the lightning, like the beauty of a Highveld storm in the afternoon, nothing quite beats it.
Or the fact that those wins came 10 years ago with about 250 dronk ouens watching.
Saturday might see 30000+
Superbul,
Never mind just for the union.
Affies makes about R 20000 just on seuns hoer’s parking.
The butchers, bottle stores, hell the whole Pretoria economy gets a boost.
Affies makes about R 20000 just on seuns hoer’s parking.
He he he, this could be a whole discussion by itself 😉
9 – Blouste, Not sure. Too many top sides to play on their turf. Hoping we can. If we beat the Saders that could give us huge confidence, but McCaw is back this week so don’t think that will happen. Also a kiwi ref for that game.
If we went on tour with 2 wins behind us would have had more hope. Then you never know Sharks do travel well and we do win away from home. So keeping my fingers crossed… 😉
Bulls should take the Tahs easy this week. Hoping Stormers too beat the Brumbies. Really want to see two saffa teams in the semi. This being the last S14 as we know it. Next year starts the S15.
Okay out of here for a bit. Need to do a bit of work. Catch up later.
Cheers Puma…
“On a ground surrounded by grandstands that encroach”
…
shouldnt that be … en-cockroach? 😀
dan kan ons hulle die blou kakkerluckies omdat hulle soeveel luck oorie afgelope paar seisoene gehad het!! 😆
15
moes wees … die blou kakkerluckies NOEM
Hallooooo Ash…
Gewonder wanneer gaan jy jou stront kom praat op die thread… 😆
Hoe gaan dit daar aan jou kant ?
😛
yeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Cry ‘havoc’ and let slip the dogs of war!!!!
blouste @ 17
refer 19!! 😀
hei blouste kakkerlucky
waa’s djy nou? 😯
Praat maar, ek luister…
21@ Asblikdeksel – How would the Sydney Morning Herald describe Boolands??
I would like your rendition…
Daar het jy nou weer ge-AWOL… 😯
# 23
gbs
Do they know about Newlands ?
Die laaste paar jaar het hulle gedink dis deel van hul vakansie program as hulle nie ‘n wedstryd speel nie 😯
gbs @ 23
iets soos … “wat ñ verfrissende ervaring om weer in die beskawing te wees” 😆
27@ Asbak – Hoe gaan dit vandag in Gaapstad…. waai die SuiDOOOS nog so bedonnerd.
blouste @ 25
jy klink nou soos baie ouens wat weier om vir die bokke te skree … hulle verskoning gewoonlik?
…
“jy skree vir jfourie/ sburger/ matfield ens ens”
en dan voeg hulle gewoonlik by
“daai mense weet nie eens van jou nie” :lol”
huh? 😯
gbs @ 28
nee die weer inni Pêrel is fantasties (lekker koel) na die paar warm dae wat ons gehad het!!
hoop julle blou bulle vrek vannie hitte? 😉
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