BLOEMFONTEIN – A solar-powered airship circled a Bloemfontein stadium on Monday night during the opening match of the 2026 FNB Varsity Cup, marking the first time such an aircraft has appeared at a rugby match in South Africa.
The Cloudline Sc-240 airship flew above the venue as FNB UFS Shimlas played FNB Maties in the tournament opener, providing aerial views for fans and television viewers.
Developed by Stellenbosch-based company Cloudline, the Sc-240 is the world’s first commercially available solar-powered airship in its class. The aircraft is powered by solar-recharged batteries and lifted by helium, allowing it to remain airborne for more than 10 hours with zero carbon emissions.
The airship can carry payloads of up to 40 kilograms and operates at a lower cost than traditional aerial systems, according to the company. Potential applications include environmental monitoring, disaster response and resource surveying.
The FNB Varsity Cup is an annual university rugby tournament in South Africa. The appearance of the airship at Monday’s match represents the first use of such technology at a rugby event in the country.
The flight demonstrated the operational capability of the Sc-240 at a live sporting event, with the airship circling the stadium throughout the match.
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