Over the next few weeks, the Desso GrassMaster system will be installed at the stadiums in Nelspruit and Polokwane. With a capacity of around 45,000 spectators, both new stadiums will each be hosting four group matches. Amongst others Italy, Ivory Coast, Argentina, Australia and France will be playing one of their matches in these stadiums.
The Desso GrassMaster system is made up of a 100 per cent natural grass surface, into which 20 million artificial turf fibres have been injected to a depth of 20 cm. The roots of the natural grass intertwine with the artificial fibres, which anchors the field into a stable and a level grass surface. The installation of the Desso GrassMaster system is scheduled for the end of April.
After the tournament, the pitch will continue to serve for football and for rugby games.
Stef Kranendijk, chief executive of Desso, said: "Supplying the stadium pitches for the 2010 Fifa World Cup is obviously a prestigious project for our company. By doing so, we hope to contribute to the legacy of this tournament and to inspire future top events."
The grass system has already proven its reliability at the highest level; Arsenal FC, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and AZ Alkmaar play on a Desso GrassMaster system in their stadiums. Desso GrassMaster has also been used successfully for both rugby and American Football, including top clubs such as American National Football League's Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. [Via]