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Richard Carey, owner of Tuff Top Lawns, is "ploughing back" into the Free State community by completely resurfacing the iconic Toyota Stadium pitch in Bloemfontein. 

Exactly one year after winning a full-sized tractor in the prestigious OFM & John Deere "Lekker Soos ’n Trekker" competition at Nampo 2025, Carey has channelled his success straight back into local sports. 

His expert turf intervention has already provided the perfect stage for the Toyota Cheetahs' recent nail-biting 32–31 victory over the Griquas, securing the team a spot in the SA Cup semi-finals and guaranteeing their qualification for the upcoming Currie Cup.

The Science Behind the Perfect Pitch

The legendary Bloemfontein winter presents a brutal challenge for stadium turf. Toyota Stadium’s primary surface consists of Kikuyu grass, a resilient variety that unfortunately gets heavily frosted during cold months, losing its vibrant green colour and texture just as peak rugby season hits.

To ensure a world-class playing surface for the Currie Cup, Carey and his team executed a specialized, two-step agricultural rejuvenation process:

1. Scarifying: The existing Kikuyu grass was aggressively cut back directly to its roots. This thins out the dense thatch layer, removing dead organic matter and preparing a clean bed for seasonal transformation.
2. Oversowing: The scarified surface was then planted with high-quality Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) seeds.

This hybrid ecosystem allows the perennial ryegrass to flourish during the cold winter months while the Kikuyu lies dormant, ensuring a lush, dense, and emerald-green carpet that provides optimal traction and safety for high-impact rugby.

A New Chapter for Free State Rugby

The immaculate new turf has already proven to be a fortress for local rugby. Last week's thrilling one-point victory against the Griquas sets up a massive wave of momentum for the region.

The pristine playing conditions come at a perfect time for Bloemfontein. World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is officially joining the Cheetahs in June. His arrival, paired with a world-class playing surface, promises an explosive, highly anticipated new era for Free State rugby fans.

What started as a life-changing competition win at Nampo has come full circle. Through Tuff Top Lawns, Carey has turned a commercial prize into a lasting community legacy—proving that when Free State businesses win, local rugby wins too.