Sports stadiums in South Africa
South Africa is the home of world-class sporting facilities capable of accommodating tens of thousands of spectators in comfort, such as the picturesque Newlands grounds, nestled at the foot of Cape Town’s mountains, and the energy-charged Wanderers Cricket Grounds in Johannesburg.
There are world-renowned rugby stadiums such as Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld, home fortress of the feared “Blue Bulls” team; Johannesburg’s Ellis Park, where the 1995 World Cup final was staged, and Durban’s Kings Park, home of one of the best local sides, the Sharks. Keep a watch on the newspapers while you’re here – if a big international game is being played, it could be worth your while to go and watch.
NEW STADIUMS FOR THE 2010 WORLD CUP
Johannesburg
Ellis Park
South Park Road, Doornfontein, Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 402 8644 / 8
Website
Johannesburg’s Ellis Park was built in 1927 and it wasn’t long before it hosted its first rugby international, when South Africa faced the All Blacks in the first test in 1928, won 7-6 by the New Zealanders.
The Stadium has since become world famous and it played host to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand, won 15-12 by the Springboks in a tension-filled atmosphere that exploded into a celebration that engulfed the entire country.
The image of former President Nelson Mandela wearing the number six jersey of ‘Bok captain Francois Pienaar is one that will remain in the memories of many people worldwide.
The original Ellis Park played host to the largest ever crowd at a rugby game in South Africa in 1955, when 100 000 spectators saw the Springboks go down 23-22 to the British Lions. The original ground, which also played host to cricket tests, was rebuilt in 1979-1980 and seven years later was listed on the stock exchange.
Today it is a top-class venue equipped with excellent facilities, and is home to the Golden Lions Rugby Union, the Premier Soccer League’s Moroka Swallows and the league’s best-supported club, Kaizer Chiefs. It plays host to many big concerts, and some of the world’s top music superstars, including the Rolling Stones, have graced the ground in New Doornfontein.
Whilst it is recognized primarily as a rugby ground, Ellis Park has also played host to some of the world’s greatest soccer sides, including Brazil, Manchester United and Arsenal.
For the 2010 Soccer World Cup, seating will be increased by over 10 000, up to 60 000. The capacity will be increased by adding an upper tier to the north and south ends of the stadium.
The Wanderers Cricket Stadium
Corlett Drive, Illovo, Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 788 1008
Website
Affectionately referred to as the Bullring, The Wanderers Cricket Ground is South Africa’s largest Test venue, capable of hosting 27 000 spectators. It is also home to 171 corporate suites and eight function rooms.
The Wanderers became the third ground in South Africa to become a test cricket venue in December 1956, having been built only one year earlier. When Ellis Park was rebuilt in 1979-1980, The Wanderers also became a test rugby ground, playing host to the South American Pumas in a 24-9 victory for the Springboks.
There is no doubt, however – especially since South Africa’s return to world cricket in 1991, when the country started competing against the entire world and not just Australia, England and New Zealand – that the Wanderers is a wonderful, vibrant cricket ground.
Since that time over R60-million has been spent on upgrading the facilities. The Unity stand at the south end of the ground was completed in November 1992 and officially opened by England great Sir Colin Cowdrey. In October 1994 the Trust Bank Memorial Stand on the northwest side of the ground was completed, followed by work on The Western Pavilion and the rebuilding of the Main Gate.
More work was done in 1996 with the upgrading of the lights, and in January 1997 The Wanderers played host to its first day-night international when South Africa beat India by four wickets. At the same time a giant screen television was installed, providing replays much to the delight of the spectators – and probably much to the horror of the umpires!
The Wanderers will be in the spotlight again in 2003 when it hosts the final of cricket’s biggest event, the World Cup, on March 18.
Soccer City (FNB Stadium)
Nasrec, Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 494 3522
Built in 1987, South Africa’s national soccer stadium has played host to some of the most memorable matches in South Africa’s soccer history.
It was at the FNB that South Africa defeated Congo 1-0 in front of a delirious capacity crowd to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time. And it was at the FNB that the 1996 African Cup of Nations kicked off and then finished with South Africa beating Tunisia by two goals to nil to give the entire country a welcome boost, especially as it followed only one year after the Springboks had won the Rugby World Cup, also in Johannesburg.
Soccer City remains South Africa’s foremost soccer venue and it will be the main venue for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, hosting both the opening match and the final. It is set to be enlarged from its present seating capacity of 80 000 to 94 700 for soccer’s showcase event.
Some significant changes will be made to the present two-tiered bowl for the World Cup: the upper tier will be extended around the stadium, while an encircling roof will be added. New changing rooms will be developed, and new floodlights installed. The upgrades are expected to be completed by April 2007.
Soccer City is home to the South African Football Association and often used as a venue for matches featuring Bafana Bafana, as well as the massive local rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Pretoria
Securicor Loftus (Loftus Versfeld)
Kirkness Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria
Tel: (012) 344 4011
Blue Bulls website
Situated in South Africa’s capital Pretoria and home to Premier Soccer League powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns, the Blue Bulls Currie Cup rugby side, and the Bulls Super 12 rugby team, Securicor Loftus is one of the country’s premier sporting venues.
It has been in use as a rugby ground since 1908. Largely unchanged for many years, it underwent refurbishment in 1976 and was one of the primary venues for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, playing host to five matches.
For many years the Blue Bulls (formerly known as Northern Transvaal) were the dominant side in South African provincial rugby, and Loftus was the fortress that played host to many a Blue Bulls’ victory. Loftus has also proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Springboks, their victories there including a 61-22 pounding of Australia in 1997 and their second-biggest victory ever, a 96-13 humbling of Wales in 1998.
While the Blue Bulls have been less dominant in recent years, the ground has remained a home to champions, with Sundowns winning the Premier Soccer League for three years in succession, from 1998 to 2000, as they became the dominant team in South African football.
Loftus Versfeld is not only home to sporting events, however. It has successfully hosted a number of big concerts, and with a media centre, corporate suites and spacious parking areas, is one of South Africa’s top stadiums.
For the 2010 Soccer World Cup improvements will be made to the floodlights, sound system and scoreboards. They’re expected to be done by April 2005. Seating capacity at the stadium is 45 000.
Supersport
Park
Corner South Street and West Lane, Centurion
Tel: (012) 663 1005
Titans website
A relatively new venue, built in 1986 to replace Berea Park, SuperSport Park in Centurion just outside Pretoria is an appealing cricket venue (no pun intended!), with lots of grassed banks and good seating on a well-equipped main stand set in spacious surrounds. The grassed areas are conducive to a festive atmosphere and lend themselves to groups of friends and families having a good time watching the game. Corporate chalets add to the setting.
The ground first hosted a first-class match in December 1986 when Northern Transvaal faced the might of the Transvaal “Mean Machine”, one of the most powerful provincial cricket combinations ever seen in South Africa. In November 1995 it was awarded its first test when it hosted England and South Africa. The match was unfortunately rained out, but it was memorable for the fact that current Protea captain Shaun Pollock made his debut for South Africa.
The next time the ground hosted a test the result was altogether better for home fans, both from the fact that the game was completed, and also that it resulted in a victory over Australia inside four days by eight wickets.
High praise from Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev was accorded SuperSport Park in 1992, when rated the facilities at the ground as being among the best in the world.
Cape Town
Sahara Park Newlands
Monorgan, 161, Camp Ground Road, Newlands
Tel: (021) 683 6420
Western Province Cricket website
Acknowledged as one of the most scenic cricket grounds in the world, Newlands was officially opened in January 1888. Four years later the ground first played host to test cricket, hosting the third test between South Africa and Australia, won by the Australians by 10 wickets. The crowd attracted was estimated at 10 000, a record turnout.
The picturesque ground became famous for the Oaks and the superb background of mountains and clouds, but towards the end of the twentieth century it was agreed that the ground needed to undergo some changes. This began with the revamping of the Main Stand in 1984-85, improving seating capacity by 3 000 providing upgraded media facilities.
Newlands underwent further changes in 1986 with floodlights and chalets being added. However, when South Africa was readmitted to international cricket in 1991, it became necessary to upgrade the ground once more.
The R85-million development took place over a number of years, eventually ending in January 1997. This included the demolition of the much-loved Oaks, but in its place impressive stands were erected which, while they couldn’t match the natural beauty of the Oaks, were nonetheless tastefully designed.
Today, Newlands remains one of South Africa’s most popular grounds, with enthusiastic crowds who like nothing more than a test in December or January, played in warm African sunshine in the shadow of the mountains.
Over the years Newlands has proved to be something of a bogey ground for South Africa, but the Proteas have taken steps to rectify this and since March 1994, when they lost to Australia by 9 wickets, they have remained unbeaten at the ground. In that time they have comfortably defeated Sri Lanka twice, England twice, and India and the West Indies once each.
For any visitor, Newlands is a ground that breathes character and beauty, and it remains one of the most scenic settings for Test cricket in the world today.
Newlands Rugby Stadium
11 Boundary Road, Newlands
Tel: (021) 686 4955
Western Province Rugby website
Newlands was first used for an official match in May 1890 when club rugby sides Villagers and Stellenbosch met in a match that was won by the university. The following year, on 5 September 1891, the ground hosted its first rugby test when the touring British Lions beat South Africa by four points to nil.
The ground has been pretty good to the Springboks, with the national team winning almost two-thirds of the matches they have played there. Newlands has also hosted two Test matches that didn’t include the Boks. That happened during the 1995 World Cup.
Particularly memorable among those games was a 27-18 victory over defending champions Australia in the opening match of the 1995 World Cup. The ground also saw a big 27-9 win over England in 1994, just one week after the English had thumped South Africa 32-15 in Pretoria. In 1980 the Springboks did just enough to stay ahead of the 18-point haul of Lions’ flyhalf Tony Ward, scoring four tries to the Lions’ one. In 1955 South Africa enjoyed a big 25-9 win over the British Lions in a four-match series that was drawn.
Newlands is the home ground of the Stormers in the Super 12 and of Western Province in the Currie Cup. The seating is close to the field and with the crowd normally sizeable and festive, the atmosphere is one of the finest of any rugby ground in the world.
In recent seasons the ground has also played host to Ajax Cape Town, the local Premier Soccer League team, which is an affiliate of the famous Dutch club, Ajax Amsterdam.
For the 2010 Soccer World Cup Newlands will see the traditional standing areas in front of its main stand on the west side of the ground transformed into seating areas. The electronic scoreboard will be updated, floodlights, too, will be improved, along with the sound system. A new surveillance security system will also be installed.
November 2007 is the target date for the completion of improvements to the stadium.
Durban
Sahara Stadium Kingsmead
2 Kingsmead Close, Durban
Tel: (031) 332 9703
Dolphins Cricket website
Little more than a stone’s throw from the ocean, Kingsmead is located in humid Durban, home to wonderful sandy beaches and surfing. The ground has played host to tests since January 1923 when England and South Africa played to a draw. Since that time South Africa has compiled a 50% success rate at the ground, winning eight matches, losing eight and drawing 12.
Highlights in the history of Kingsmead include South Africa’s innings and 129-run demolition of Australia in February 1970 when two of the game’s greats, Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards, thrashed the Australian bowling to all parts of the ground as they scored 274 and 140 respectively. The 622 for 9 accumulated by South Africa remains the highest ever innings by the Proteas.
Gary Kirsten wrote his name into the record books at Kingsmead in December 1999 against England when he bettered Pollock’s 274 and equalled Darryl Cullinan’s South African record test score of 275.
Kingsmead’s warm weather encourages a casual and happy atmosphere as spectators soak up the sun’s rays while taking in top-class action out on the pitch. And if the humidity proves too much, it is easy to pop down to the beach for a quick dip in the ocean and then return for more cricket.
The Absa Stadium Durban (King’s Park)
Jacko Jackson Road, Durban
Tel: (031) 308 8400
Sharks Rugby website
Durban’s Absa Stadium, after a quiet history as a test venue, enjoyed a rebirth in 1990 when the ground underwent a massive upgrade and the hometown Natal Sharks won the prestigious Currie Cup for the first time.
The Absa Stadium, formerly known as Kings Park, hosted just 12 rugby tests between 1891 and 1992, beginning in 1962 when South Africa defeated the British Lions 3-0. Since 1992 the ground has played host to 12 tests!
It has also been a favoured venue for matches featuring the South African national soccer side, Bafana Bafana. In fact, it played host to the team’s first international match, a friendly against Cameroon in July 1992, which was won 1-0 by South Africa. In 2003 it hosted the friendly between England and South Africa that launched the Rainbow Nation’s bid to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Bafana Bafana lost 2-1, but the bid was successful!
For 2010, the 52 000-seat stadium will be extended to a 60 000-seater. It sports a big screen television and seating close to the playing field, and boasts a wonderful vibe. There is always plenty of action on the fields surrounding the Absa Stadium after sporting events, something that the venue is famous for.
The Absa Stadium is expected to host one of the 2010 World Cup semi-finals. Completion on the ground extensions should be done by September 2010.
In a rich history of many wonderful matches at The Absa Stadium, three two stand out above all others. The first was mentioned above: the democratic South Africa’s introduction to international football against Cameroon in 1992. The other contests involved rugby Tests. The first took place in 1995 when South Africa faced France in atrocious conditions in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup. The game was a cliff-hanger, and only splendid and stubborn Springbok defence earned the home team a nail-biting 19-15 victory.
The second memorable rugby match took place in 1998 when Natal Sharks’ favourite Gary Teichmann led the ‘Boks to Tri-Nations success with an unbelievable 24-23 win over the All Blacks. South Africa trailed 23-5 with 12 minutes remaining, but they lifted themselves and an ecstatic crowd as they crossed New Zealand’s try line three times to claim a famous victory.
Port Elizabeth
Sahara Oval Saint George’s
Park Drive, Port Elizabeth
Tel: (041) 585 1646
Eastern Province Cricket
website
The Crusaders Ground in Port Elizabeth, commonly referred to as Saint George’s Park, first played host to international cricket in March 1889 when England defeated South Africa by eight wickets in South Africa’s first ever test match.
Saint George’s Park became home to Eastern Province cricket, and some of South Africa’s finest players graced the ground for EP and South Africa, including Bert Vogler, Peter and Graeme Pollock and Dave Richardson. As with many other grounds, Saint George’s underwent an upgrade after South Africa returned to international cricket, and today it is a popular venue for both test matches and one-day internationals.
Situated within sight of the ocean, the ground has become well known for the enthusiastic band that plays during Protea tests. The ground is a particular favourite of spectators during the summer months, when tests take place in beautiful sunny settings, often accompanied by a cooling breeze, making Saint George’s Park an ideal venue both for fans of the game and for the players themselves.
South Africa has experienced both wonderful success and agonising defeat at the ground. Two recent matches that stand out are a painful loss to Australia by two wickets in March 1997 after the Proteas had the Green Caps on the rack, having led by 101 runs on the first innings; and a superb win by 9 wickets over India in 1992 as fast bowler Allan Donald claimed 12 for 139 on a pitch that many had said favoured spin bowling and was a fast bowler’s nightmare.
Bloemfontein
Vodacom Park (Free State Stadium)
At Horak Avenue, Bloemfontein
Tel: (051) 407 1700
Vodacom Cheetahs website
Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein is part of what is possibly the finest collection of sports facilities in South Africa. Situated on the same huge block as the 38 000-seater Free State Stadium is an international standard athletics stadium, a national standard artificial turf hockey stadium, the Goodyear Park cricket ground - also used for international matches - and tennis facilities that have played host to South African satellite events.
The stadium first saw international action in 1955 when the touring British Lions faced the Junior Springboks and edged to a 15-12 victory. It included cycling and athletics tracks around the playing field for many years, but all that changed in 1994 when it was reconstructed ahead of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
The result was a beautiful stadium vastly improved on the former design. Spectators were no longer distanced from the action, with seating bordering the field creating a sense of intimacy. The All Blacks, based in Bloemfontein for their World Cup pool matches, certainly enjoyed the new stadium, thrashing a hapless Japanese team 145-17.
Rugby is not the only game that has flourished at the stadium. Bloemfontein Celtic, for many years a fixture in South Africa’s top soccer league until their relegation at the end of the 2000 season, played regularly at the ground, and continue to do so.
Vodacom Park has also hosted international soccer, being used during the 1996 African Cup of Nations to host a pool group featuring Zambia, Algeria, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso. South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, have also played at the ground on numerous occasions.
For the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a second tier will be added to the main grandstand, which will increase the seating capacity to 40 000. Floodlights and the sound system will also be upgraded, while electronic scoreboards are set to be installed. This should happen by June 2007.
Goodyear Park
Tel: (051) 447 5715
At Horak Avenue, Bloemfontein
Free State Cricket Union website
Formerly known as Springbok Park, but now called Goodyear Park after the long-time sponsors of the Free State provincial cricket team, the ground is a well-designed 20 000-seater. It incorporates two large stands and lots of grassed banks that attract large groups who wish to cook in the sun while enjoying their cricket.
The ground hosted its first one-day international in December 1992 when South Africa cruised to an eight-wicket victory over India. In October 2000 it was accorded full test status when the Proteas defeated Zimbabwe by an innings and 13 runs at the ground.
Goodyear Park played its part in South African test history when, fittingly, it became the ground on which Free State fast bowler Allan Donald became the first South African to capture 300 test wickets, during the first test against New Zealand in November 2000.
One of the greatest innings ever played at the ground occurred early in 1994 when former South African captain Hansie Cronje smashed 251 against the touring Australians, hitting 28 fours and six sixes, including three in succession to hurry him along from 200 to 250.
Goodyear Park boasts some of the best lights for night cricket in the country and is regularly used for day/night internationals, when the grassy banks become colourfully filled with spectators and a carnival atmosphere prevails. It is relaxed and friendly and, as South Africa’s newest test venue, an excellent addition to the wonderful array of test cricket grounds in the country.
Orkney
Oppenheimer Stadium (James Motlatsi Stadium)
The Oppenheimer Stadium will be considerably enlarged for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, with capacity increasing from 23 000 to 40 000.
To achieve this, the athletics track that presently borders the playing field will be removed. This will allow further rows of seating to be installed. New seating will also be constructed on the embankments around the ground. A new roof will also be put on to the main grandstand.
Improvements will also be made to the sound system and the flood lights. Completion date is set for April 2007.
Polokwane
Polokwane Stadium (Peter Mokaba Stadium)
The Peter Mokaba Stadium is set for major improvements ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. These will transform the ground in the province of Limpopo’s capital into a world class 40 000-seater.
All new seats will be FIFA-approved bucket seats, incorporating 20 more rows.
The western stand is set for a makeover: the current stand’s roof will be removed and replaced with a new roof that covers the entire stand.
Other changes will include the installation of an electronic scoreboard, new flood lights, a new sound system, and a fire detection and protection system. Expect everything to be done by April 2007.
Rustenburg
Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace
The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace was opened in 1999 and will need little work done to prepare it to host Soccer World Cup matches in 2010.
Seating capacity will be increased to 40 000, while other improvements will see the installation of a new electronic scoreboard, upgraded floodlights and a new sound system. This is expected to be done by November 2005.
The stadium is entirely funded by the Royal Bafokeng community that presides over the world’s richest platinum mines in the North West province. It is a multi-purpose facility that includes an athletics track.
NEW STADIUMS FOR THE 2010 WORLD CUP
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth Stadium
Port Elizabeth, known as ‘The Friendly City’, will receive a long overdue new stadium, set to hold 49 500, by June 2007, thanks to South Africa’s successful bid to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
It will be built north of the city, near the industrial port development of Coega, just two kiloemetres from the ocean. Thanks to its proximity to the N2 Highway, access to the ground from the city will be easy and fast.
The futuristic design will house a multi-purpose facility that will benefit the local community significantly. Completion date has been set for June 2007.
Port Elizabeth Stadium is set to host first round and second round matches during the 2010 World Cup.
Pretoria
Rainbow Junction
Rainbow Junction will become the second world class stadium in Pretoria, thanks to private enterprise and the 2010 Soccer World Cup. It is to be built north of the city, with November 2007 set as the target date for completion. It will also be more than a stadium, and include an indoor sports arena.
The stadium will seat 41 000 spectators and will feature a covered main stand, as well as three steep, open stands on the other sides of the ground. Its construction is set to benefit a community that was deprived for a long time before South Africa became a democracy.
Kimberley
Kimberley Stadium
Kimberley will benefit from South Africa’s successful bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The city will receive a new top-class sports’ stadium, set to hold 40 000 spectators.
It will be built from scratch for the World Cup, but will afterwards be employed for sports and entertainment events, as well as exhibitions. The site of the new stadium is ideally situated next to a disused railway siding, which will be transformed into a railway station, specifically to cater to the new stadium. In addition, a new off-ramp will be added to the nearby highway to direct traffic to the ground.
A completion date of May 2007 has been set for the stadium.
Nelspruit
Mbombela Stadium
Like Kimberley, Nelspruit will benefit from a new stadium, built thanks to the success of the South African Soccer World Cup bid.
It will be constructed on land eight kilometres north of the city and, like Kimberley again, the stadium will be put to good and varied use after the World Cup. The site is elevated and seating in the 40 000-seater will be excellent from any vantage point.
The Mbombela Stadium could prove to be a very popular venue, with the world famous Kruger Park nearby. Safari and soccer, it has a certain ring to it!
Construction is set to be completed by June 2007.
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