Here we give each of the venues a quick once-over.
Green Point Stadium
City: Cape Town
Capacity: 70,000
The Lowdown: One of two semi-final venues, construction only finished on this multi-purpose venue at the end of 2009. The stadium's exterior is protected by noise-reducing cladding due to its location in a highly popular area of Cape Town.
Local knowledge: Cape Town is a multicultural city located on the shore of Table Bay with South Africa's second highest population.
Key Match: Semi-finals, 6th July
Ellis Park
City: Johannesburg
Capacity: 62,000
The Lowdown: Home to Orlando Pirates FC, one of South Africa's most popular clubs, Ellis Park also hosted the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup between Brazil and the United States. It was also the scene of triumphant celebrations after the South African rugby team overcame New Zealand to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup trophy. A new tier on the north stand has increased the seating capacity by 9%.
Local knowledge: - Johannesburg is one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world, this wealthy city is famous for its gold and diamond trade, often referred to locally as Jozi, Joburg or Egoli (meaning place of Gold).
Key Match: Quarter-finals, 3rd July
Free State Stadium
City: Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Capacity: 48,000.
The Lowdown: The Free State Stadium hosted the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final between Spain and USA in which the States secured an unlikely victory. Another stadium which should look the part due to a recent refurbishment, the area is home to some of the country's most passionate fans with local club Bloemfontein Celtic FC enjoying a recent resurgence.
Local knowledge: Mangaung/Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province and judicial capital of South Africa. Mangaung is a Sesotha name meaning "place of cheetahs" but Bloemfontein is perhaps more aptly known as "the city of roses" as it hosts an annual flower festival.
Key match: France Vs South Africa - 22nd June
Mbombela Stadium
City: Nelspruit.
Capacity: 46,000.
The Lowdown: This newly built stadium is the first major football venue in the city of Nelspruit and is surrounded by game parks full of wildlife. Translated literally the name of the stadium means 'many people together in a small space' and Mbombela is also the name of the local municipality which incorporates the city.
Local knowledge: Nelspruit is based in the fertile valley of the Crocodile River in the north eastern part of South Africa.
Key match: Italy vs New Zealand, 23rd June
Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace
City: Rustenburg.
Capacity: 42,000
The Lowdown: This stadium takes its name from the local Bafokeng people. Although Rustenberg does not have its own team, the stadium has been host to many Premier Soccer League matches. The England team will be using the stadium as their base camp for the tournament.
Local knowledge: Any England supporters may want to remember their sun tan cream as Rustenburg enjoys a sub-tropical climate with maximum temperatures around 16°C during winter and 31°C during summer.
Key match: England vs USA, 12th June
Moses Mabhida Stadium
City: Durban.
Capacity: 70,000
The Lowdown: Another newly-built stadium which will also host one of the semi-finals, it features a grand arch which is said to represent unity. Visitors can take a cable car to the very top of the arch which offers panoramic views of Durban's shoreline.
Local Knowledge: Durban is the busiest port in Africa and is a popular tourist destination due to its 'Golden Mile' of beaches and subtropical climate.
Key match: Semi-final, 7th July
Soccer City Stadium
City: Johannesburg.
Capacity: 94,700.
The Lowdown: Regarded by many as South Africa's "heart of football", Soccer city was the country's first international football stadium and Nelson Mandela held his first mass rally after his release from prison there in 1990. Designed to resemble the traditional African pot known as the 'calabash', the recent addition of floodlighting means the stadium looks stunning after dark.
Local knowledge: The stadium is only a short distance from the predominantly black area of Johannesburg Soweto where about 40 per cent of the city's population live.
Key Match: Final, 11th June
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
City: Port Elizabeth.
Capacity: 48,000
The Lowdown: This new stadium overlooks the scenic North End Lake and is architecturally unique due to its striking roof structure. It hosted the Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs which drew massive crowds.
Local knowledge: Known colloquially as 'the friendly city', Port Elizabeth was founded in 1820 to house British settlers.
Key match: Third place play-off, 10th July
Peter Mokaba Stadium
City: Polokwane.
Capacity: 46,000
The Lowdown: Named after one of the most prominent leaders in the fight against apartheid, this stadium was inspired by the Baobab Tree which is found locally.
Local Knowledge: Formerly called Pietersburg, Polokwane means 'place of safety'. The area has a landscape of grassland interspersed with rocky granite hills known locally as 'koppies'.
Key match: Greece vs Argentina, 22nd June
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
City: Tshwane/Pretoria.
Capacity: 50,000
The Lowdown: One of the oldest stadiums in the country, Loftus Versfeld Stadium is home to the Blue Bulls, one of the country's top rugby teams. South Africa's national team, Bafana Bafana beat Sweden 1-0 in 1999.
Local knowledge: Tshwane/Pretoria is located between rocky ridges in the north eastern part of the country.
Key match: Chile vs Spain, 25th June
Article Source : http://sport.scotsman.com/football/South-Africa-World-Cup-2010.6325221.jp
by : Milo McLaughlin
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