The Cape Town Stadium’s ‘ring of fire’ – the 360 inner spotlights that will light up the pitch for the 2010 FIFA World Cup – have been switched on for the first time.
Motorists and residents in the surrounding area will have seen the big switch-on on Wednesday night. Some commented that the lights were extremely bright, but the correct brightness will only be seen once all the lights have been individually synchronised through the use of a light meter on the pitch.

The brightness was also enhanced by the fact that the outer façade, which will help to soften the light, has not yet been completed.

Meanwhile, plans for the grass pitch have been changed. Following a request from FIFA, the stadium grass will now be grown through a seeding process in the stadium itself. The two grass pitches being grown in Stellenbosch will be kept as back-ups.

Seeding will start in the last week of October. The sand underlay has been fumigated, and testing has started on the sprinkler system. Holes for the goal posts have been dug.

Grassing experts believe the seeds will start to sprout after 14 days and the pitch should be green by the official stadium handover on 14 December. It should be playable towards the end of January 2010.

With less than two months to the deadline for the completion of the stadium, all systems are on track. Commissioning tests on the inner workings of the stadium – from CCTV surveillance cameras to IT cabling to ceilings and detail finishes – are in progress.

The all-glass roof has been completed and installation of the seats is far advanced.