Loftus fan’s death puts Pretoria pedestrian safety in focus after Springboks Test match

What should have been a memorable evening of international rugby has left a Pretoria family mourning and renewed calls for safer pedestrian routes around one of the city’s busiest sporting venues.

This comes after Hugo van der Berg, 51, died following an incident near Loftus Versfeld after Saturday night’s Springboks Test against Scotland.

As highlighted by The Citizen, Loftus fan’s death puts Pretoria pedestrian safety in focus after Springboks Test match, Van der Berg was reported missing after the match when he failed to return to his vehicle, before his family later received confirmation that he was the man found dead near the stadium precinct.

Earlier that day, the Secunda resident had been interviewed by the SABC outside Loftus alongside fellow rugby supporters, excited for the Test match. Hours later, concern spread across social media as relatives appealed for help in locating him before the search came to a heartbreaking end.

Details surrounding the incident have also placed the spotlight on an excavation near the intersection of Lynnwood Road and Roper Street.

The South African reported that emergency responders and members of the public rushed to assist after a man reportedly fell into the open construction site, suffering fatal head injuries despite extensive resuscitation efforts.

The rescue operation unfolded in difficult conditions. According to community responders, two other people also fell into the excavation during the emergency, while sections of unstable ground reportedly collapsed as crowds gathered nearby, complicating efforts by medical personnel.

The Old East Safety Forum has since questioned whether adequate precautions were in place for the thousands of supporters expected to leave Loftus Versfeld after the match.

The organisation pointed to damaged safety netting, displaced barricades and poor lighting in parts of the construction zone, arguing that pedestrian safety measures did not match the volume of foot traffic generated by a major sporting event.

The roadworks form part of the City of Tshwane’s ongoing A Re Yeng Line 2B infrastructure project, which includes stormwater upgrades and road widening along Lynnwood Road.

For Van der Berg’s family, however, the focus remains on remembering the man they knew.

“Hugo was a soft-spoken person who always wanted to help others,” his sister-in-law, Yolanda van der Berg, said.

She described him as someone who cared deeply for children and animals and who was happiest when giving to others.

“He was deeply loved by everyone who knew him.”

Police have opened an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death. Investigators have not yet confirmed exactly what led to the incident, and no further details have been released while the investigation continues.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com

Sources: The Citizen & The South African