Africa’s First 100% Recyclable World Rugby (WR) Certified Field with Natural Cork Infill
Curro Windhoek and Rhino-Turf Set a New Standard in Eco-Conscious, High-Performance Sports Infrastructure
Rhino-Turf is proud to unveil another major milestone for sports development in Africa — the completion of a groundbreaking rugby field resurfacing at Curro Windhoek Gymnasium School in Namibia. Back in 2017, this same field made history by becoming Africa’s first-ever World Rugby (WR) certified artificial rugby pitch, using Rhino-Turf VT60.
Now, the story continues. In 2025, we returned to upgrade the surface using the same trusted VT60 turf system, now enhanced with a GRE recyclable backing and a natural cork performance infill — a first-of-its-kind combination on the continent.
Sustainable Innovation Meets Elite Performance
This landmark installation was commissioned by the Curro Schools Group, a forward-thinking education leader with a commitment to holistic student development. The new field is:
- 100% recyclable, thanks to Rhino-Turf’s GRE backing
- Infused with natural cork infill instead of traditional SBR rubber
- Fully certified by World Rugby for elite play and training
“We’re extremely proud to have installed this field as a first for Africa. It’s a historical project that demonstrates the capabilities of Rhino-Turf not just in sport, but in sustainable innovation.”
— Devan Visser – Director Rhino-Turf Southern Africa
“As the founder of Rhino-Turf, I’ve always believed in leading from the front. Getting hands-on again, especially in Africa, the player welfare is always of paramount importance to us at Rhino-Turf and it has always been about setting a new benchmark for quality and sustainability on the continent. This project is just the beginning — we’re here to raise the standard and prove that innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand.”
— Jonathan Gallagher, Founder of the Rhino-Turf Brand
World-Class Rugby for Namibia’s Next Generation
Today, the field is in full use by the students of Curro Windhoek, offering them a global-standard training and competition surface. The installation has also caught the attention of regional rugby development programs, making Curro a hub for elite youth development in Namibia.
“This project is more than a field — it’s a game-changer for rugby in our region. Our players now train on a world-class surface that supports both performance and the planet.”
— Jannie de Beer, Director of Rugby, Curro Windhoek
