Danie Craven Stadium Lighting Upgrade
Advanced sports lighting delivers exceptional uniformity, visibility and broadcast-ready performance
We are proud to have delivered a comprehensive LED floodlighting and lighting control solution for the iconic Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa.
Located within Stellenbosch University’s renowned sporting precinct, Danie Craven Stadium has been a cornerstone of South African rugby since 1979. With a seating capacity of 16,000 spectators, the stadium has hosted countless memorable rugby encounters, including numerous Varsity Cup fixtures, South Africa's premier inter-university rugby competition.
As part of a recent stadium modernisation programme, the venue underwent a significant floodlighting upgrade, complemented by the introduction of an advanced lighting control system. Designed to meet modern international broadcasting standards, the new solution enhances on-field visibility, improves the spectator experience and supports the demanding requirements of high-definition television broadcasting. The upgrade also strengthens the stadium's ability to host premier local and international sporting events.
Partner(s)
Stellenbosch University
De Villiers & Moore Consulting Engineers
Maritz Electrical
Post-installation measurements confirmed that the new lighting system exceeded the project requirements, achieving an average horizontal illuminance of 1,800 lux and an average vertical illuminance of 1,300 lux. The installation also delivered excellent uniformity, with Min/Ave ratios of 0.81 horizontally and 0.77 vertically, ensuring high-quality visibility for players, officials, spectators, and broadcast cameras.
These performance outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of the lighting solution in meeting the rigorous demands of professional rugby and televised sporting events, while helping preserve the legacy of one of South Africa's most historic rugby venues for future generations.
Smart Lighting Control for a New Era of Sport
Danie Craven Stadium's lighting system is powered by Schréder ITERRA, an advanced wireless lighting control platform developed specifically for sports facilities. By combining precise DMX control with intuitive operation, the system enables lighting scenes to be easily adapted for sporting events, television broadcasts and day-to-day stadium operations.
At the heart of the system is DMX (Digital Multiplex) technology, which enables individual luminaires or lighting groups to be addressed and controlled with exceptional accuracy. This allows lighting levels and field zones to be adjusted instantly to suit training sessions, competitive matches, television broadcasts or special events. Coordinated switching and dimming also contribute to improved operational efficiency and energy savings.
Accessible through an intuitive mobile application, the user interface can be tailored to specific operational requirements, giving venue operators a simple yet powerful tool to manage lighting scenes, schedules and events with confidence.
High-Performance Sports Lighting
The stadium is illuminated by OMNIBLAST-2-E MAXI LED floodlights. Designed and manufactured in South Africa, the OMNIBLAST range is a versatile, FIFA Quality Pro approved floodlighting solution engineered for professional sports venues. Its modular optical design provides flexible light distributions, while excellent glare control, high colour rendering, TLCI compliance and flicker-free operation ensure optimal conditions for players, spectators and broadcast cameras.
Patented cooling technology in the MAXI version helps maintain performance and extend luminaire lifespan, delivering reliable, high-quality lighting for both live events and televised matches.
Lighting the Future of South African Sport
The successful completion of the Danie Craven Stadium lighting upgrade highlights our commitment to delivering high-performance sports lighting solutions that enhance player performance, improve the spectator experience, and meet the stringent requirements of international sports broadcasting. As stadiums continue to evolve to meet modern sporting and media expectations, smart lighting remains a critical component in creating world-class sporting environments.
About Us
We develop and manufacture energy-efficient LED lighting products in South Africa, designed and suitable for local conditions.
We are very proud to be associated with Stellenbosch University, De Villiers & Moore Consulting Engineers and Maritz Electrical in providing a successful smart sports lighting solution for this project.
