You may plan to see only one game, or perhaps you are planning to see several or all of the soccer matches in 2010. The matches are spread across different provinces in South Africa, and although it is possible to travel around the country via plane, bus, taxi or car hire, it's a good idea to choose a base province from which to travel. The following information on South African provinces should help you decide where you would like to stay...
Soccer Matches in Gauteng...
Three of the 10 World Cup 2010 stadiums are being built in this province. Loftus Stadium in Pretoria; Ellis Park Stadium, and Soccer City
Stadium in Johannesburg. Soccer City is the largest, holding 95 000 football fans, so it is likely that the opening, and final match
will be hosted by this province, although no match schedule has been made public as of yet...
Climate in Gauteng...
The temperature during the world cup will range from 4 to 19 degrees Celsius, so bring some warm clothes. An umbrella will probably be
unnecessary as Gauteng does not usually receive rain in winter.
About Johannesburg...
Johannesburg (also known as Joburg, Jozi and JHB), is the largest and most populated city of South Africa and is located in the Southern
to central part of Gauteng. It's CBD is rather run-down and dangerous but has some beautiful and upper class surrounding suburbs, which
are a much better choice for accommodation.
About Pretoria...
Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa and some sign boards may refer to it as 'Tshwane' because of an ongoing dispute
between the government and locals regarding a name change. Pretoria also has a bad and better part of town and is usually a few degrees
warmer than Joburg and is located on the Northern part of Gauteng.
Soccer Matches in the Western Cape...
One of the 10 World Cup 2010 stadiums are being built in this province, Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
Climate in The Western Cape...
The temperature during the world cup will range from 8 to 18 degrees Celsius, so bring some warm clothes. Bring an umbrella too, as
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate where it receives quite a bit of rain in winter.
About Cape Town...
Cape Town, arguably the most beautiful, is the third most populated city in South Africa and is also the legislative capital and is found on
the South Western coast of South Africa. Cape Town is also known as 'The Mother City' and is full of sightseeing and tourism
opportunities.
Soccer Matches in the Eastern Cape...
One of the 10 World Cup 2010 stadiums are being built in this province, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Climate in The Eastern Cape...
The temperature during the world cup will range from 9 to 20 degrees Celsius, so bring some warm clothes. There's basically a 1 in 4
chance of rain, so take an umbrella just in case.
About Port Elizabeth...
Port Elizabeth is also known as 'PE' and 'The Windy City' and is one of the major seaports and is found on the South Eastern Coast of South
Africa. It boasts a beautiful and quiet coast with sea that is not as cold as Cape Town, but not as warm as Durban water.
Soccer Matches in Kwa-Zulu Natal...
One of the 10 World Cup 2010 stadiums are being built in this province, King Senzangakhona Stadium in Durban.
Climate in Kwa-Zulu Natal...
The temperature during the world cup will range from 11 to 23 degrees Celsius, so bring some light jerseys. There's basically a 1 in 4
chance of rain, so take an umbrella just in case.
About Durban...
Durban or 'Durbs' is the second most populated city in South Africa and is sometimes jokingly referred to as 'The capital of India', because
of the large amount of Indian inhabitants. Durban is on the East Coast of South Africa, and if bustling crowds are not your thing,
there are several beautiful neighbouring suburbs with quieter coast lines that are popular vacation spots for inland South Africans.
Soccer Matches in Mpumalanga...
One of the 10 World Cup 2010 stadiums are being built in this province, Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Climate in Mpumalanga...
The temperature during the world cup will range from 6 to 23 degrees Celsius, so bring some light jerseys. An umbrella will probably
be unnecessary as Mpumalanga does not usually receive rain in winter.
About Nelspruit...
Nelspruit is situated in the North East of South Africa and is a quiet and beautiful city and the manufacturing and agricultural hub of
SA. It is also used as a major stop over for tourists travelling to the famous 'Kruger National Park'.
Soccer Matches in the North West Province...
One of the 10 World Cup 2010 stadiums are being built in this province, Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Climate in the North West Province...
The temperature during the world cup will range from 2 to 20 degrees Celsius, so bring some light jerseys. An umbrella will probably
be unnecessary as The North West Province does not usually receive rain in winter.
About Rustenburg...
Rustenburg is the North West section of South Africa and is home to the famous 'Sun City' entertainment resort with it's 'Lost City Palace
Hotel', beautiful golf courses and casino.
Soccer Matches in the Free State...
One of the 10 World Cup 2010 stadiums are being built in this province, The Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Climate in the Free State...
The temperature during the world cup will range from -2 to 17 degrees Celsius, so bring some light jerseys. An umbrella will probably
be unnecessary as The Free State does not usually receive rain in winter.
About Bloemfontein...
Bloemfontein is situated in Central South Africa and is the Judicial Capital. It is also the birth place of author J.R.R. Tolkien who
penned among many books, 'The Lord of the Rings'.
Soccer Matches in the Limpopo Province...
One of the 10 World Cup 2010 stadiums are being built in this province, Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Climate in the Limpopo Province...
The temperature during the world cup will range from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius, so bring some light jerseys. An umbrella won't be
unnecessary as The Limpopo Province does not usually receive rain in winter.
About Polokwane...
Polokwane is in the Northern most part of south Africa and has a lot of game viewing opportunities and very large baobab trees.
The CBD is a little dingy and rural but there are plenty of great ranches and safari venues to stay at, and even some hot springs.
SOCCER MATCH SCHEDULE
Seeing as the teams have not been chosen, we obviously don't have an itinerary yet, but watch this space...
MAP OF SOCCER STADIUMS IN SA
MAP KEY...
1. JOHANNESBURG FOOTBALL MATCHES
Soccer City
Nasrec Road, Nasrec, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Ellis Park
Cnr Currey & Staib Str, Doornfontein,
Johannesburg, Gauteng
2. PRETORIA FOOTBALL MATCHES
Loftus stadium
Kirkness Str, Sunnyside, Pretoria, Gauteng
3. CAPE TOWN FOOTBALL MATCHES
African Renaissance Stadium
(formerly Green Point stadium)
Fritz Sonnenberg Rd, Mouille Point, Sea Point,
Cape Town, Western Cape
4. PORT ELIZABETH FOOTBALL MATCHES
Nelson Mandela Bay stadium
Prince Alfred Park, Port Elizabeth,
Eastern Cape
5. DURBAN FOOTBALL MATCHES
King Senzangakhona stadium
Walter Gilbert Rd, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
6. NELSPRUIT FOOTBALL MATCHES
Mbombela stadium
Mataffin, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
7. Rustenburg FOOTBALL MATCHES
Royal Bafokeng stadium
Rustenburg, North West
8. BLOEMFONTEIN FOOTBALL MATCHES
Free State Stadium AKA Vodacom Park
Horak Ave, Bloemfontein, Free State
9. POLOKWANE FOOTBALL MATCHES
Peter Mokaba stadium
Dorp Str, Polokwane, Limpopo