Jeremy Stewart, widely regarded as the doyen of South Africa’s flooring industry, brings decades of expertise to this column. With over 35 years of experience, Jeremy has served on various committees, chaired several industry associations and is a renowned speaker, both locally and internationally, on flooring and surfacing systems. As the owner of a national flooring company, he also holds the position of chairman of the South African Sports and Play Industry (SASPI) and serves as a council member of the South African Green Industries Council (SAGIC).
Identifying surfaces
South Africa’s sporting landscape demands surfaces that balance performance, safety and durability across its diverse climates and disciplines.
From professional stadiums to township facilities, the main surfacing systems include synthetic turf, acrylic and polyurethane (PU) courts, athletics track systems and rubber-based safety flooring.
- Synthetic turf is widely used for football, hockey, padel, tennis and multipurpose fields, providing all-weather usability and consistent play characteristics.
- Acrylic and PU systems are ideal for tennis, basketball and netball courts, offering excellent traction, colour stability and low maintenance.
- For athletics, polyurethane or sandwich track systems deliver optimal shock absorption, spike resistance and compliance with World Athletics standards.
- Rubber-based surfacing, including SBR systems, has become essential for gym and playground safety due to its superior fall protection and environmental sustainability.
Installation matters
As chairman of the South African Sports and Play Industry (SASPI}, Stewart strongly advocates that clients select qualified and accredited installers who adhere to international codes of practice and testing standards.
Compliance ensures that every sports or playground surface performs safely, meets impact and friction criteria, and endures South Africa’s demanding conditions. This ultimately protects both users and investors while promoting excellence in the nation’s sports infrastructure.
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