Information: Sport |
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| World-class Sport facilities
This is the home of world-class sporting facilities capable of accommodating tens of thousands of spectators in comfort, such as the (old) picturesque Newlands grounds Cape Town and the energy-charged Wanderers Cricket Grounds in Johannesburg. The Soccer World Cup in South Africa will attract 3 million
visitors. All stadiums are new and the last one will be finished by
October 2009. There are world-renowned rugby stadiums such as Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld and Johannesburg’s Ellis Park, where the 1995 World Cup final was played.
If you prefer to play sports yourself, South Africa is a breathtaking destination. The trickiest part will be making a choice. The village of Jeffrey’s Bay just happens to be a year-round host to the “perfect wave”, which is why it draws surfing champions from around the world. The even more remote Sodwana Bay in Zululand is home to the world’s southern-most coral reef, and a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving. Saldahna Bay is a windsurfing paradise.
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| Abseiling |
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| South Africa has the highest commercial abseil in the world at 122 m as well as many others. This is a heart stopping 122 m high abseil from Table Mountain with stunning views and shear cliff face descent. A little fitness is required. |
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| Bungie Jumping |
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The southern Cape coastline offers some exeptional bridge jumps. Bloukranz Bridge is in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest bungie jump in the world at 216 meters. Even if it is not for you, it is well worth holding your breath and watching others. On your holiday of South Africa you can stop off for as long as you want and watch these daredevils taking a jump. Some statistcs: the free fall takes 5 seconds, the stretching of the Bungy rope takes another 2 seconds. The first rebound is higher than the Victoria Falls Bridge jump and the second rebound is higher then the Gouritz Bridge, which is 65 meters. The jumper accelerates to around 200kmh before decelerating. |
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| Cricket |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
International tests and one day series take place in the summer season between November and March and are highly recommended. National competitions are the four-day Supersport Series and the one-day matches, the Standard Bank Cup. Games are played throughout the week whilst the 11 provincial teams strive for national supremacy. |
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| Fishing |
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Trout fishing in the mountain rivers, surf fishing from the beaches, or from harbour walls. Deep sea fishing is offered at all coastal resorts. The fish varieties are vast due to the warm ocean current on one coast and the cold current on the other. |
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| Golf Courses |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
South Africa was an unknown
destination only a few years ago for golfers. This has dramaticaly changed
over the past few years as more and more golfers take the opportunity to
play on the over 500 fantastic courses offered by the country. |
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| Horse Riding |
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Horseback riding adventure trails vary from half day trails to a comprehensive three day horse trail through the magnificent nature. Trails are aimed at individuals and small groups allowing for personal attention. |
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| Rugby |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Rugby is a played with great passion and is the most popular sport amongst whites. South Africa has always done well at rugby and when the national squad, the Springboks, lose a game then supporters are plunged into depression for at least a week.
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was hosted in South Africa and won by the Springboks. The greatest triumph and nationwide blessing came when Nelson Mandela donned the number six jersey of captain Francois Pienaar to present the cup. This was a major milestone for the history of South African rugby which had long been an exclusively "white" sport. |
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| Sailing |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Yachts and powerboats can be hired at certain locations. Charters and short daily cruises, down to excursions and hourly cruises are offered at most harbours with public waterfront activities. Popular venues are the Cape Town Waterfront and Knysna Waterfront. |
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| Scuba Diving |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
The Cape Area
is well known for its many shipwrecks
that
have floundered from the earliest explorers to modern times.
The northern Coast is known for its coral
diving. |
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| Soccer |
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World Cup 2002
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Soccer is the most widely played sport in South Africa, with its traditional support base in the black community. For many South Africans the country's proudest sporting moment came when we won the Africa Cup of Nations 1996.
Soccer is intensely followed, and some teams attract uo to 80.000 spectators in the leage games.
The national football team is called Bafana Bafana (The Boys).
South Africa was announced as host of the 2010 Fifa World Cup in May 2004. The decision meant the Rainbow Nation would become the first African hosts of soccer's showpiece event.
The domestic game
Local teams are followed with the same passion as in many other countries. Mercifully, South Africa has been spared the spectre of football hooliganism.
There's no quicker way to "break the ice" with the South African black community on the street than to demontrate some knowledge of local soccer. To help you improve your conversational skills, here's a crash course on the country's most important teams.
Kaizer Chiefs
The country's favourite club soccer side never seems to play an away match - Kaizer Chiefs draw more supporters at away games than their opposition home teams!
Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates are the oldest soccer team in South Africa and its support base extends across the country's borders.
Like Chiefs, Pirates seldom are disadvantaged when they play away from home, with fanatical supporters spread throughout South Africa.
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| Surfing |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Any surfer knows that South Africa offers top surfing beaches. The entire coastline offers the ultimate in waves. Jeffrey's Bay, Victory Bay, and Durban ring with the sound of Surf. Most destinations offer surf boards for the time of your visit. |
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| Table Mountain Climbing |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Probably the most popular sight in South Africa. The top of Table Mountain can be reached via a network of paths. Do not attempt a climb on your own unless you are well equipped with a guide, some routes involve expert climbing. The only safe walk to the top is up Platteklip Gorge. Platteklip Gorge is on the road past the lower cable station and is marked. |
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| White Shark Diving |
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Dive within the safety of a cage and visit the ultimate predators of the sea. So close you can touch them - the banks of awesome razor edged teeth are but centimetres away. The huge gaping jaws revealing the true danger of this exciting adrenaline encounter - all from the safety of your cage. An experience during your South African adrenaline holiday tour. |
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| Wind Surfing |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Opportunities exist all along the coast as well as on the inland waterways. Langebaan Lagoon is the most popular windsurfing resort. Kite surfing and boardsailing are popular around the Cape Peninsula. |
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