South Africa's cricket grounds Tweet on Twitter When South Africa hosted the 2003 Cricket World Cup, South Africa, the country’s beautiful and varied cricket grounds were on show, with each of them bringing their own character to the game. The Wanderers exhibited the super-charged atmosphere of the “Bullring”. Newlands revealed one of the most beautiful settings in the world of cricket, while SuperSport Park’s spectator-friendly grass embankments showed off a party vibe. Each and every one of South Africa’s grounds boasts something unique and special. Take a look around the country: OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein Website Located in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State province, OUTsurance Oval is a spectator-friendly ground, with the sizeable grass embankment on the eastern side especially popular with spectators. It is part of a wonderful sporting complex, covering a massive city block that includes facilities of either international of provincial standard for athletics, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis and swimming. The ground has been used for limited-overs internationals since the fifth one-day international between South Africa and India in December 1992.

The pitch is recognised as a good one-day wicket and is usually conducive to high scoring. OUTsurance Oval hosted its first Test in October 1999 when South Africa took on Zimbabwe. It was a good start for the Proteas as they thrashed SA’s northern neighbours by an innings and 13 runs. Willowmoore Park, Benoni Website One of South Africa’s newer international grounds, Willowmoore Park is a smaller-sized venue and home of the Easterns provincial team. It is also used by the Nashua Titans franchise. Willowmoore Park first hosted a one-day international in February 1997 when India met Zimbabwe and Sachin Tendulker celebrated the new venue’s debut with a century as the Indians won by six wickets, with over 10 overs to spare. Willowmoore Park remains a one-day international venue; it has not yet hosted a test. However, it has become a more and more popular choice as an ODI ground. During the Cricket World Cup in 2003 it hosted two matches. Denis Compton famously scored a triple century in three hours and one minute against North Eastern Transvaal at the ground in 1948.

It remains the fastest ever triple century. Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town Monorgan, 161 Campground Rd, Newlands, Cape Town Website Newlands is reckoned by many to be the most picturesque test cricket venue in the world, with the mountains shrouded in clouds overlooking the ground, while tasteful chalets and trees, impressive stands and open grassed areas grace the ground. It is also synonymous with a fantastic atmosphere. Newlands hosted its first one-day international in 1992 when Hansie Cronje captured 5 for 32 to help South Africa to a six-wicket win over India. It was a test ground over a century before that, hosting the second test between England and South Africa in March 1889. South African fans enjoy the fact that Newlands has been a particularly good ground to the national side in limited-overs internationals. The playing surface is highly regarded, but that wasn’t always the case. Pakistan certainly didn’t think so when they were blasted out for just 43 by the West Indies in February 1993. Their woeful batting effort included six ducks!

At the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Newlands hosted both the opening ceremony and the opening match of the tournament, between South Africa and the West Indies. In something of a shock, the islanders beat the home side. Newlands was one of the primary venues used during the competition, hosting five matches, including three category-A internationals, featuring established test-playing nations. Supersport Park, Centurion Website Rated one of the 10 best grounds in the world by Indian legend Kapil Dev, Supersport Park is a 20 000-seater that boasts a wonderful grandstand and superb open grass embankments. It hosted its first one-day international in December 1992 and its first test in November 1995, a match in which the great Shaun Pollock made his debut for South Africa against England. Supersport Park has always proved to be an excellent one-day cricket ground, with a wicket that is conducive to free scoring but usually has a little in it for bowlers of all kinds. In tests, the character is different, providing a more even contest between bat and ball.

The ground hosted five World Cup matches in 2003, including two Super Six clashes. Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban Website Sahara Stadium Kingsmead is a 25 000-seater stadium located within walking distance of Durban’s famed Indian Ocean shoreline. It hosted its first one-day international in December 1992, but its first test was hosted in January 1923. Kingsmead was also home to the famous “Timeless Test” played in 1939 between England and South Africa. The match lasted from 3 to 13 March, but was eventually declared a draw amid concerns that the English team would miss its ship home! The ground was a semi-final venue during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Interestingly, it is widely believed that the changing tides of the nearby ocean help swing bowlers move the ball nicely through the air! Buffalo Park, East London Website A small ground with plentiful grass embankments, East London’s Buffalo Park, boasts a beautiful view with the ocean in the background.

Home to the Border Cricket Union, it first tasted international cricket in December 1992 when India defeated South Africa in the seventh and final one-day international of their series. Since that time it has been regularly used for ODIs. There have been some special moments in limited overs games that Buffalo Park has hosted. In December 1994, Pakistani paceman Waqar Younis claimed a hat-trick against New Zealand, while in January 1999 Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper put on a fourth-wicket stand of 226 for the West Indies against South Africa. Incredibly, Shaun Pollock captured 6 for 35 for the Proteas in the same match! The ground hosted its first test in October 2002 when South Africa thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 107 runs as Graeme Smith hit 200 and Gary Kirsten 150. During the 2003 Cricket World Cup Buffalo Park hosted a Super Sixes contest, as well as the match between South Africa and Canada. Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg Website To be precise, the Wanderers is in fact the New Wanderers.

The Old Wanderers first hosted test cricket in 1896, when South Africa faced England and George Lohmann claimed 9 for 28 in South Africa’s first innings to help the English to a convincing innings victory. The New Wanderers, on the other hand, first hosted test cricket in December 1956, and its first one-day international, between South Africa and India, in December 1992. The stadium also hosted the 2003 Cricket World final. It is known as “the Bullring” for its electric, sometimes intimidating atmosphere. High stands surround most of the field, although there is a small grassed area that is very popular with spectators. The Wanderers’ capacity is about 34 000 people, which includes the occupants of the ground’s 180 corporate suites. De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley Dickenson Ave, Kimberley A nice, open ground with plenty of the grass banks that are so popular with South African spectators, The De Beers Diamond Oval hosted its first one-day international in April 1998 when Pakistan chased down a Sri Lankan total of 295 to record a four-wicket victory.

That has been the pattern in most one-day matches – high scoring. However, England’s Mark Ealham managed figures of 5 for 15 in 10 overs against Zimbabwe in January 2000! The ground hosted three matches during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. City Oval, Pietermaritzburg Website The Pietermaritzburg Oval, a small, picturesque ground with a touch of old-world, Victorian charm about it, hosted its first one-day internationals during the 2003 World Cup. Chaminda Vaas ensured the first match was a memorable one, capturing four wickets in the very first over of the contest, on his way to figures of 6 for 25, as Sri Lanka crushed Bangladesh by 10 wickets. Bangladesh won’t have good memories of the ground. Apart from their 10-wicket thrashing in the World Cup, they also suffered a 10-wicket loss to a South African Invitation Eleven in October 2000. On that occasion Charl Langeveldt knocked over 5 for 7 as the Bangladeshis were bundled out for just 51!

Along with the St Lawrence Ground in Kent, it is the only first-class venue that includes a tree within the boundary. Sahara Oval St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth Park Drive, Port Elizabeth Website Actually The Crusaders Ground, St George’s Park, but commonly known as St George’s Park, the ground first hosted a test match in March 1889 – the first ground to host a test in South Africa. It was hugely improved for the 2003 World Cup, with R11-million of the total allocation of R35-million for improvements being used on it. Saint George’s Park boasts excellent stands as well as grassed embankments. It is also famous for its enthusiastic band that is always in attendance at one-day internationals and test matches. One of the most remarkable results achieved at St George’s Park occurred in October 2001 when lightly regarded Kenya handed India a 70-run thrashing, prompting anti-corruption investigators to look into the match. It was ultimately declared a fair contest. During World Cup 2003, the ground was home to one of the semi-finals, and hosted five games in total, including the high profile England versus Australia clash.

Senwes Park, Potchefstroom Website Senwes Park, sometimes used by the Lions franchise, is one of South Africa’s newer international grounds. It was first used in October 2000 for a match between South Africa and New Zealand. Nicky Boje ensured the occasion would be remembered when he blasted an unbeaten 105 off only 93 deliveries, but the match was ultimately rained out. In October 2002, Senwes Park became a test ground when it hosted the second test between South Africa and Bangladesh. Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis all scored centuries, as the Proteas raced to an innings and 160 runs victory. The excellent rivalry between South Africa and Australia was highlighted at the ground in April 2002. Batting first, the Proteas rattled up 259 for 7 in their 50 overs, thanks mainly to 71 from Jacques Kallis and 83 from Jonty Rhodes. Australia, in reply, sneaked a tension-filled tie, ending the match on 259 for 9 after being reduced to 223 for 9 in the forty-sixth over.

During the 2003 World Cup, the North West Stadium hosted three contests, including the match between South Africa and Kenya during which Jonty Rhodes broke his hand, bringing an untimely end to his international career; he had planned to retire after the World Cup. Boland Bank Park, Paarl Langehoven Street, Paarl Boland Bank Park’s introduction to one-day international cricket was a memorable one. Zimbabwe and India met at the ground on 27 January 1997, with the match ending in a dramatic tie. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees, it offers spectators lovely grassed embankments to relax upon while taking in a match. Back in 2001 the ground was home to one of the biggest turnarounds the game of cricket has ever seen. India thrashed Kenya by 186 runs after tallying a massive 351 for 3, led by 111 from Sourav Ganguly and 146 from Sachin Tendulkar. A week prior to that, the Kenyans had crushed India by 70 runs after bowling them out for just 176.

Boland Bank Park hosted three matches during the 2003 Cricket World Cup and is nowadays used by the Cape Cobras franchise. Would you like to use this article in your publication or on your website? See: Using SAinfo material TAGS Weather forecast for New Wanderers, Johannesburg | Cricket Ground | South Africa Cricket: Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa The 7 day weather forecast summary for New Wanderers, Johannesburg: The next 7 day outlook for New Wanderers, Johannesburg shows the average daytime maximum temperature will be around 30°C, with a high for the week of 32°C expected on the afternoon of Tuesday 24th. The average minimum temperature will be 14°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Wednesday 18th at 10°C. Expect the week ahead to have mostly dry days although Saturday is likely to see a little rain. Predictions are Wednesday 18th will have the most precipitation with an accumulation of around 12.0mm. On the whole winds are likely to be moderate. The day label given represents the local day relative to the local time for the location you are looking at.

(More Info) Local Time The wind direction we use on this page is the direction the wind is coming from, given in a 16 point compass format. (More Info) Dir This refers to the sustained average wind speed, normally averaged over a period of 10 minutes for up to 3 hrs. Speed/ Gust Temperature from our forecast perspective are fairly well defined, they are what we would expect to measure in a standard meteorological screen (in other words, shaded and well ventilated) at 2 metres above ground level. Temp/ Feels Like The relative humidity is the percent of saturation humidity, generally calculated in relation to saturated vapour density. (More Info) Humidity The value given is a total predicted for the previous 3 hrs and includes the time of the forecast being looked at. (More Info) Precip Amount The total amount of cloud as a percentage is derived from looking at cloud cover throughout the atmosphere and estimating how these combine when looked at from the ground. (More Info) Cloud Amount Here we try to capture the feel of the weather as an image – it will never be perfect but is useful for a quick overview.

(More Info) Weather When we measure for forecast air pressure we are normally doing this relative to a certain height and most commonly relative to Mean Sea Level. The Wanderers Stadium Johannesburg, South Africa - Records & stats of New Wanderers Cricket Ground Johannesburg. India won by 15 runs Explore information about records, statistics, address and contact detail of The Wanderers Stadium Johannesburg, South Africa. The Wanderers Stadium Johannesburg, South Africa Corlett Dr, Sandton, Illovo, 2196, South Africa Phone No.

+27 11 340 1500 Also or formerly known as Kent Park Capacity 34,000 End Name Corlett Drive End, Golf Course End Records and statistics South Africa v England, 24-29, Dec 1956 Last Test South Africa v India, 13-Dec-1992 Last ODI South Africa v New Zealand, 21-Oct-2005 Last T20I 2nd T20I - South Africa v Sri Lanka Sat, Feb 04 3rd ODI - South Africa v Sri Lanka Fri, Mar 30 - Tue, Apr 03 08:00 GMT, 10:00 local 4th Test - South Africa v Australia BIDVest Wanderers Stadium is a stadium situated just south of Sandton in Illovo, Johannesburg in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Test, One Day and Twenty20 cricket matches are played here. It is also the home ground for the Highveld Lions, formerly known as Gauteng (Transvaal).

The New Wanderers, on the other hand, first hosted Test cricket in December 1956, becoming the 41st venue to host an international Test match. Wanderers Cricket Stadium Wanderers Cricket Stadium experiences in our beautiful country By Province You are here: South Africa / Information / Tourist Attractions & Destinations / Gauteng Attractions / Sandton Attractions / Illovo Attractions / Wanderers Cricket Stadium Gauteng Tourist AttractionsThe Wanderers Cricket Stadium Nestled in the leafy suburb of Illovo, Wanderers cricket ground in Johannesburg is regarded as the premier cricketing stadium in South Africa. Where? Corlett Drive, Illovo, Sandton, Johannesburg How? Call +27 (0)11 340-1500 Overnight? See Illovo accommodation , Sandton Nestled in the leafy suburb of Illovo, Wanderers cricket ground in Johannesburg is regarded as the premier cricketing stadium in South Africa; certainly Wanderers cricket ground is the largest test venue in the country with a seating capacity of 34 000 and 182 suites, leased by large corporate companies.

Test, one day and first class cricket matches are played here, and it also serves as the home ground of the Highveld Lions. Wanderers stadium was originally completed in 1956, whereupon it immediately witnessed the best test bowling performance ever by local cricketer Hugh Tayfield, who took 9 for 113 in the 4th test against England in 1956/57. On re-entering international cricket in 1991, Wanderers got a complete revamp that allowed the large stadium to stage the likes of the Cricket World Cup 2003 final, and the matches of the first T20 Worldcup in 2007. The grounds have also been used for rugby matches, like that of the 1980 international between South Africa and South America, whilst Ellis Park was being rebuilt. The cricket stadium just happens to be right next door to the Wanderers Golf course , which not only hosts top events on its 18-hole course, rated in the top 40 golf courses in South Africa , but has earned top accolades for its 19th hole - reputed to offer some incredible views over the course.

It isn�t often though that South Africans are forced to choose between the cricket stadium and the golf course when supporting local champions. If anything, they complement one another perfectly. Popular Attractions near to Wanderers Cricket Stadium Wanderers Golf Club Situated outside of Gauteng�s premier sporting venue, The Wanderers Cricket Stadium, the Wanderers Golf Course is perfectly situated for any golfing and sporting enthusiast. Here you can be sure that the course is always in top... More info and contact details: Wanderers Golf Club Mandela Square An already fashionable area with its sidewalk cafes, fine dining and some 93 exclusive shops, Nelson Mandela Square has become one of the most popular venues in South Africa. Its prime location in the heart of Sandton allows easy access... More info and contact details: Mandela Square Gauteng The Wanderers Stadium | South Africa | Cricket Grounds | ESPN Cricinfo The Wanderers Stadium Also or formerly known as Kent Park Corlett Drive End, Golf Course End Home teams 12:15, Fri Jan 20, 2017 (UTC +0200) Records index Profile Known as the 'Bullring' because of its intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams the Wanderers has a rich history.

It was the third Test ground in Johannesburg following the Old Wanderers Stadium and Ellis Park. For more than 74 years, it has provided the focal point of Johannesburg's sporting aspirations, whether they be cricket or golf - which between them dominate the district of Illovo, where the club is based - or tennis, squash and bowls, which can also be found tucked away in the back streets. In October 2003 the clubhouse itself was entirely gutted by a fire, which began in the kitchens and spread through the ventilation ducts, leaving little that could rescue three-quarters of a century of tradition. Among the trophies, photographs and cricketana lost forever was the bat with which Graeme Pollock scored 274 against Australia in 1966-67. The first Test at the ground was in 1956 when England won by 131 runs and it has gone on to witness numerous memorable moments. These include South Africa's penultimate Test before being banned from international cricket in 1970, when they crushed Australia by 307 runs.

Following readmission, the ground became a lasting memory for many England fans when Mike Atherton batted for over 10 hours to save the Test in 1995. In 2003 it hosted the World Cup final, as Australia waltzed to victory over India, and in March 2006, it was the scene of the most extraordinary one-day match in history, when South Africa successfully chased Australia's world-record total of 434 for 4. Cricinfo staff rediff.com: Cricket World Cup 2003: The Wanderers, Johannesburg - Nairobi Gymkhana Club The Wanderers, Johannesburg Built in 1956, the New Wanderers became the third Test ground in Johannesburg, when England played South Africa and won 131 runs. That season it witnessed the best Test bowling performance ever by a South African, when Hugh Tayfield took 9 for 113 in the fourth Test of the series. An intense atmosphere at the 27,000-seat stadium has led to its being nicknamed 'The Bull ring'. And, as with England at Lord's, the national team tends to under-perform at the national headquarters.

Pakistan and Canada will use the city as their home base. The venue will play host to three matches: Feb 11: Australia vs Pakistan Feb 16: South Africa vs New Zealand Feb 01: Kenya vs Bangladesh Stadium view: The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg The Wanderers, Johannesburg The Wanderers, Johannesburg The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg has hosted countless exciting cricket matches, such as the one day international in which South Africa scored 438 to beat Australia in 2006. A short drive from Sandton, the 34 000-seat Wanderers is one of the world’s finest cricketing venues. Did you know? Australia beat India in the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The Wanderers Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in South Africa, as well as the most accessible, given that Johannesburg takes direct flights from most major cities around the world. The Wanderers has hosted Test cricket since 1956. It hosted the final of the Cricket World Cup, as well as numerous Indian Premier League matches in 2009.

The stadium’s nickname, the “Bullring”, is a reference to its imposing shape, as well as to the intimidating experience of playing here. The Wanderers Stadium is the home ground of the Highveld Lions, who play in the domestic four-day, limited over and Pro20 competitions. Some star players in recent seasons include Neil McKenzie, Thami Tsolekile and Alviro Petersen. While the pitch is known for its pace and bounce, batsmen have still made merry over the years and three innings totals in excess of 600 have been reached. The great Graeme Pollock scored 274 against Australia on this ground in 1966, one of the finest innings of that era. Pollock’s nephew, Shaun Pollock, is the top international wicket-taker at this ground, with 88 in total. Few spin bowlers have been successful on this hard surface. The 2006 one day international between South Africa and Australia, in which 872 runs were scored in 100 overs, is regarded as the best international limited over match ever played.

Herschelle Gibbs scored an incredible 175 from 111 balls to see South Africa home on the day. Johannesburg is known as a very welcoming city and the local cricket fans you meet at Wanderers Stadium will all be up for some friendly banter before, after and during the matches played there. Sandton has a thriving social scene, with some top restaurants to choose from at Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton City, as well as some thriving nightclubs in Rivonia. Travel The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg The Wanderers, Johannesburg The Wanderers, Johannesburg The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg has hosted countless exciting cricket matches, such as the one day international in which South Africa scored 438 to beat Australia in 2006. A short drive from Sandton, the 34 000-seat Wanderers is one of the world’s finest cricketing venues. Did you know? Australia beat India in the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The Wanderers Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in South Africa, as well as the most accessible, given that Johannesburg takes direct flights from most major cities around the world.

The Wanderers has hosted Test cricket since 1956. It hosted the final of the Cricket World Cup, as well as numerous Indian Premier League matches in 2009. The stadium’s nickname, the “Bullring”, is a reference to its imposing shape, as well as to the intimidating experience of playing here. The Wanderers Stadium is the home ground of the Highveld Lions, who play in the domestic four-day, limited over and Pro20 competitions. Some star players in recent seasons include Neil McKenzie, Thami Tsolekile and Alviro Petersen. While the pitch is known for its pace and bounce, batsmen have still made merry over the years and three innings totals in excess of 600 have been reached. The great Graeme Pollock scored 274 against Australia on this ground in 1966, one of the finest innings of that era. Pollock’s nephew, Shaun Pollock, is the top international wicket-taker at this ground, with 88 in total. Few spin bowlers have been successful on this hard surface.

The 2006 one day international between South Africa and Australia, in which 872 runs were scored in 100 overs, is regarded as the best international limited over match ever played. Herschelle Gibbs scored an incredible 175 from 111 balls to see South Africa home on the day. Johannesburg is known as a very welcoming city and the local cricket fans you meet at Wanderers Stadium will all be up for some friendly banter before, after and during the matches played there. Sandton has a thriving social scene, with some top restaurants to choose from at Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton City, as well as some thriving nightclubs in Rivonia.

Travel Pitch report - Wanderers, Johannesburg Pitch report - Wanderers, Johannesburg Pitch report - Wanderers, Johannesburg More Established: 1956 Capacity: 34,000 Floodlights: Yes Ends: Corlett Drive End, Golf Course End Home Team: Highveld Lions Head Groundsman: Chris Scott Test History: 32 Tests; 13 home wins; 9 away wins; 10 draws Last 10 Tests: 5 home wins; 5 away wins Last 10 tosses: 9 batted first (6 wins, 3 defeats); 1 bowled first (1 win) Overview The New Wanderers ground, situated in Illovo, Johannesburg, became the third cricket venue in the city after the Old Wanderers Stadium and Ellis Park (which serves as the city's main rugby union stadium). The ground was completely redeveloped following South Africa's readmission to international cricket in 1991 and further renovated for the 2003 World Cup, when it played host to the final between Australia and India.

Known as 'The Bullring' for its rotund design and intimidating atmosphere, the Wanderers is part of a greater sporting complex that is steeped in history, although the clubhouse was recently rebuilt after being gutted by fire in 2004. The new clubhouse is similar in design to the original and contains an excellent stash of memorabilia, while the bar offers some of the cheapest drinks in town. The ground sports an archetypal South African wicket - hard and dry with plenty of bounce - which often provides lots of seam movement up front. The inclusion of a spinner can be helpful for the second innings but it's rare for a twirler to take five - New Zealand's Matthew Hart and Australia's John Gleeson are the only spinners to do so since South Africa's readmission. But while the Wanderers is often generous to seamers, the wicket can also be a great batting strip. Undeniable proof of this came in March 2006 when the ground played host to the most remarkable one-day international game in history, as South Africa successfully chased down Australia's world record total of 434 for 4.

While that match was of a freakish nature, it's generally known that if a Test batsman can get past the initial examination provided by the seam and bounce, then there are plenty of runs to be had. Last Time Out South Africa secured a series-squaring victory inside four days, as England's resistance finally ended after a long tour in which they'd somehow held onto two tight draws and won the other match convincingly. The Proteas were in charge from the very first ball, which saw Hashim Amla hold a reflex catch under the helmet at short leg to get rid of Andrew Strauss, and ended up winning by an innings and 74 runs. Talk in the build-up had centred on the fact that Mickey Arthur had requested a green pitch to ensure a result, but in the event the surface was no different to the usual sporting Wanderers wicket. England won the toss and batted first, but Dale Steyn (5 for 51) hit peak form and was well supported by Morne Morkel (3 for 39) as the tourists were bowled out for 180.

That was midway through the first day, and although South Africa were held up by some mighty afternoon storms they were able to declare on 423 for seven with an hour remaining on day three. Graeme Smith enjoyed some fortune when Daryl Harper and a sound technician combined with the UDRS to miss an edge early in the Proteas captain's innings, and went on to form the backbone of the total as he made 105. By the close of day three England had slumped to 48 for three, giving the match an air of inevitability. It was all over by lunch the next day, with Morkel taking four wickets as England were dismissed for 169 despite Paul Collingwood's gutsy 71. Happy Hunting Ground The nature of the Wanderers pitch is reflected in the fact that very few batsmen average over 50 here. Of the current batch of players, Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith are the only ones to do so, with their knocks against England last year pushing their averages up to 52.75 and 51.92 respectively. Naturally the fast bowlers have much more impressive records, with Dale Steyn leading the way.

His 31 wickets have come at an average of just 21.09 in five Tests, while Morne Morkel has 11 wickets in his two outings here at an average of 23.27. Despite stringing together the most important partnership of the match in Australia's victory at the Wanderers two years ago, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke only average in the 40s at the ground. They Said "I just believe that batsmen have it all their way with one-day internationals and Twenty20s and everything. All the grass is taken off (for limited overs games), the bowlers come out and they're on a hiding second to nothing. The whole game is loaded for batsmen, and I almost feel as if a Test is like the bowlers' revenge - their chance at last to get something out of the game and they should get something out of a Test wicket." - Groundsman Chris Scott tells Cricket365 about his philosophy on Test wickets. "We won't see another pitch as friendly as the one at Newlands.

At the Wanderers, you have to be spot-on as there's a bit of bounce and carry, and if you're loose, the batsmen can score freely, square of either side of the wicket. We need to be aggressive in our lengths and hit our areas hard. The bowlers did that particularly well in the second innings at Newlands but, of course, we will need to make adjustments here." - Proteas bowling coach Allan Donald. "I've had a look at the wicket and it's not as green as I've seen before - I've seen greener wickets so I don't think it's going to be as bad as what people think. It's going to do a bit, there's no doubt about that, you're going to need a bit of skill to get through it and our guys are used to playing on wickets that bounce and go around probably a little bit more than England are." - Jacques Kallis plays down fears of some sort of unplayable green mamba last year.

"If there's enough dryness there could be some turn for the spinners from day three when the strip gets a little abrasive, but under normal circumstances the idea will probably be to try to win the toss, bat first and make a big total. The Wanderers still has enough in it these days for the nicks to always carry, even if for pure pace it's not like it was some 15 years ago. When you are 1-0 down and going for broke then, maybe, you put your faith in an all-pace approach at Wanderers, especially if you fancy it is going to be a green and sporty surface throughout - I'd be surprised if that is the case this week." - former South African batsman Neil McKenzie tells Sport24. Weather Forecast Heavy rain showers are forecast for every day of the Test, but that generally means we'll have a thunderstorm interrupt proceedings on some afternoons. It's worth remembering that the drainage at the Wanderers is as good as anywhere - during the last Test the players returned to the field less than an hour after the mother of all downpours.

Conclusion The Wanderers has always produced the archetypal South African pitch, with Scott a strong believer in providing conditions that serve up a healthy contest between bat and ball. A look at the last 10 Tests played here shows he's been able to implement his philosophy - not one of the last 10 Tests have been drawn, and the last match that didn't produce a result (which was more than a decade ago) saw three days of play washed out. South Africa's record at the Wanderers since readmission is pretty good, but not as good as Australia's - the Aussies have won four of the five Tests in the last two decades, with South Africa's only success coming way back in 1994 when Hansie Cronje scored the only century of the match to make the difference in a tight match. It's generally a good toss to win at the Wanderers - just three sides have won it and gone on to lose the match over the past decade. The trend has increasingly been for sides to bat first, knowing that the opening hour will be tough but that runs will follow if they can ride out the early movement.

Tristan Holme Sports stadiums in South Africa Sports stadiums in South Africa Sports stadiums in South Africa 05 Apr 2002 Tweet on Twitter 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 Absa Stadium (formerly Kings Park), home of the Sharks. Then there are some hugely impressive stadiums that were built for the 2010 Fifa World Cup: the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, known to football fans as Soccer City; Durban’s Moses Mahbida Stadium, with it’s iconic arch; and the beautiful Cape Town Stadium Stadium. 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.

JOHANNESBURG Coca-Cola Park Johannesburg’s Coca-Cola Park, formerly known as 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. 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 football teams, including Brazil, Manchester United and Arsenal. The ground seats just over 62 000 spectators. Bidvest Wanderers Cricket Stadium Bidvest Wanderers Stadium Affectionately referred to as the Bullring, The Wanderers Cricket Ground is South Africa’s largest test venue, capable of hosting 34 000 spectators. It is also home to 182 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 was in the spotlight again in 2003 when it hosted the final of cricket’s biggest event, the World Cup, on 18 March.

FNB Stadium (Soccer City) Take a tour of grand FNB Stadium 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. South Africa defeated Congo 1-0 at the ground in 1997, in front of a delirious capacity crowd, to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time. And it was at the same venue 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. It was also the venue for the first mass rally to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990, which drew over 100 000 people. The FNB Stadium was the main venue for the 201 Fifa World Cup, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, and the World Cup final. Its seating capacity was increased to 94 700 for football’s showcase event, including 184 suites.

Other changes made for the World Cup include an enciciling roof, new changing rooms and new floodlighting. The new-look stadium is certainly eye-catching with a distinctly African flavour. That’s because the design is based on the African pot known as a calabash. The stadium is a short distance from the famous Soweto township, well known for its fanatical football supporters, who produced a humming, festive, and vibrant during atmosphere for the World Cup. Orlando Stadium The Orlando Stadium is home to the popular Premier Soccer League club, Orlando Pirates, one of the most popular clubs in South Africa. The ground, which has hosted many of Soweto’s famous derbies, between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2009. It wasn’t used for any matches during the 2010 Fifa World Cup™, but was used for training by the World Cup participants. It underwent a revamp in preparation for the event, with its capacity increasing from 24 000 to 40 000.

Apart from the world class football facilities, the ground also boats a 200-seat auditorium, a conference centre, a gymnasium, and 120 hospitality suites. Rand Stadium Johannesburg’s Rand Stadium has, like the Orlando Stadium, was revamped and served as a training ground during the 2010 Fifa World Cup™. It was originally built in 1951. Between 1951 and 1976, the stadium played host to some of South Africa’s top teams, including Highlands Park and Germiston Callies, while some of the visitors to grace the venue included Arsenal, Ajax Amsterdam, Newcastle United and Real Madrid. The facility, however, with time, began to lose its shine and it became a bit of a white elephant until South Africa was awarded the World Cup. After that, the stadium was redeveloped over three years in a multi-million rand project. Now, it sports a new grandstand roof and media facilties, new changing rooms, and a new pitch. However, the look and feel of the original venue has been retained, including a unique scoreboard in the north-eastern corner of the ground.

Its return was celebrated in May 2009 when the Rand Stadium hosted the Nedbank Cup final between Moroka Swallows and Pretoria University. PRETORIA Blue Bulls website Situated in South Africa’s capital Pretoria and home to the Blue Bulls Currie Cup rugby side, and the Bulls Super 12 rugby team, Loftus Versfeld 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) have been one of the most teams in South African provincial rugby and southern hemisphere competition. Loftus has also proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Springboks; their victories there include a 61-22 pounding of Australia in 1997 and their biggest victory ever over one of the top-tier nations, a 96-13 humbling of Wales in 1998.

Premier Soccer League powerhosue Mamelodi Sundowns also play some of their bigger games at the ground. 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. Only minor improvements were needed for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, including to the floodlights, sound system and scoreboards. Seating capacity at the stadium was increased by 5 000 – from 45 000 to 50 000. SuperSport Park Nashua Titans Official 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 cricket legend 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 he rated the facilities at the ground as being among the best in the world. It hosted five matches during the 2003 Cricket World Cup and hosted the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009. CAPE TOWN Nashua Cape Cobras Cricket Acknowledged as one of the most scenic cricket grounds in the world, Newlands was officially opened in January 1888.

Four years later the ground experienced its first taste of 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 and 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, since March 1994, when they lost to Australia by 9 wickets, they have built up a string of victories at the ground, including wins over Sri Lanka, England, India, Australia, Zimbabwe and the West Indies. 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 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 and included the semi-final between New Zealand and England when Jonah Lomu, famouslly, scored four tries. The Springboks scored a memorable 27-18 victory over defending champions Australia in the opening match of the 1995 World Cup at Newlands. 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 a 26-22 victory. In 1955, South Africa enjoyed a big 25-9 win over the British Lions in a four-match series that was drawn. Newlands has a capacity of 51 9000 and 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. From time to time, the ground has also played host to Ajax Cape Town, a local Premier Soccer League team, which is an affiliate of the famous Dutch club, Ajax Amsterdam. Cape Town Stadium Cape Town Stadium – open to the public The Cape Town Stadium was built for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™. It hosted eight games in the tournament, including the semi-final showdown between The Netherlands and Uruguay, with a capacity of 64 100. The stadium is a short distance from the ocean, with a backdrop of mountains, which makes for a spectacular setting. The stadium is also ideally located within a short walk of the transportation hub of the city. A multi-purpose venue, the has a noise-reducing cladding on the exterior, which makes it ideal as a host of major events and concerts. Premier Soccer League club, Ajax Cape Town, an affiliate of the famous ajax Amsterdam, plays regularly at Cape Town Stadium.

DURBAN 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. 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 total of 622 for 9 remained SA’s record total until 2003. In that year, a new high was established at Lords when South Africa declared on 682 for 6 against England. Then, in December, Kingsmead was again the venue for the highest total in the history of tests played in South Africa, with the Proteas posted 658 for 9 declared against the West Indies.

Gary Kirsten wrote his name into the record books at Kingsmead in December 1999 against England when he bettered Graeme Pollock’s 274 and equalled Darryl Cullinan’s South African record test score of 275. That score has since been bettered by Graeme Smith (277 vs England, June 2003) and AB de Villiers (278* vs Pakistan, November 2010) The ground was also the host of the longest cricket test in history, the fifth test between South Africa and England, from 3 to 14 March 1939. Play took place on 10 days, but the contest ultimately ended in a draw by agreement of the captains when the English team, ironically, ran out of time and had to catch their ship back home. Kingsmead’s warm weather encourages a casual and relaxed 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.

Mr Price King’s Park Jacko Jackson Road, Durban Sharks Rugby Durban’s Kings Park 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. Between 1891 and 1992 the ground hosted just 12 rugby tests between, beginning in 1962 when South Africa defeated the British Lions 3-0. Since 1992, the ground has played hosted to way more than 12 tests! It has also been a favoured venue for matches featuring the South African national football 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 Fifa World Cup. Bafana Bafana lost 2-1, but the bid was successful!

In a rich history of many wonderful matches at Kings Park, 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 the Tri-Nations title 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. The Moses Mabhida Stadium Moses Mabhida Stadium Durban received an impressive new football stadium for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The Moses Mabhida Stadium with its impressive arch became an eye-catching addition to the city’s fine list of sporting facilities.

Situated within walking distance of the Absa Stadium, home to the Sharks and a popular rugby test venue, the Moses Mabhida Stadium had a capacity of 62 760 during the World Cup, but that was reduced to 54 000 afterwards. The stadium has the capacity, however, to accommodate 80 000, if needed. There are 150 corporate hospitality suites with 7 500 seats. The 106-metre high grand arch is not just a design feature. A cable car takes visitors up to its highest point, where they can get out and enjoy breathtaking, panoramic views of the city and ocean. The roof is made of Teflon®-coated glass fibre membranes, which produce a translucent glow when the stadium is lit. Seven Fifa World Cup matches were played at the stadium: five first round games, a second round fixture, and a semi-final. Since the World Cup, the ground has also hosted a T20 international between South Africa and India and many concerts. With its spectacular arch and big capacity, it dominates the city’s seaside sporting skykline, including the nearby Absa Stadium.

PORT ELIZABETH Sahara Oval Saint George’s Park Drive, Port Elizabeth St George’s Park 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 test matches. It 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 matches of more recent vintage that stand out are a painful loss to Australia by two wickets in March 1997 after the Proteas had the Aussies 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. Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Port Elizabeth, known as “The Friendly City”, received a long overdue new stadium ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™. It now accommodates almost 48 500 spectators. The stadium, with a striking roof that highlights its design, played host to the playoff for third place during the World Cup, as well as a quarter-final, a second round match, and five first round games. It has since become home to the Port Elizabeth Sevens, one of the stops on the HSBC World Sevens Series circuit. The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is set on the shores of the North End Lake and is the first football-dedicated stadium in the city.

It is located north of the city, near the industrial port development of Coega, just two kilometres from the ocean. Thanks to its proximity to the N2 Highway, access to the ground from the city is easy and fast. BLOEMFONTEIN Toyota Free State Cheetahs The upgraded Free State Stadium was completed before the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup and it played a big role in the event, hosting the eventual winners, Brazil. Bloemfontein’s football supporters are well known for their enthusiastic support and true to form they provided each match with a party atmosphere. Five first round contests, as well as a second round match were played at the ground in in the Fifa World Cup. Formerly a 38 000-seater, the ground now hosts almost 41 000 people. Top football and rugby matches are played there. It is home to Bloemfontein Celtic of the Premier Soccer League and the Cheetahs Super 14 and Currie Cup rugby teams. Free State Stadium is part of what is possibly the finest collection of sports facilities in South Africa.

Situated on the same huge block as it are an international standard athletics stadium, the OUTsurance Oval cricket ground – also used for international matches – and tennis facilities that have played host to South African satellite events. Just across the way is a top class class swimming stadium. 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. The ground has hosted a good number of football internationals played by Bafana Bafana.

It was also used during the 1996 African Cup of Nations for a group that included Zambia, Algeria, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso. OUTsurance Oval Free State Cricket Union Website Formerly known as Springbok Park, then Goodyear Park for many years, the ground is now known as the OUTsurance Oval and 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, playing for Free State, smashed 251 against the touring Australians, hitting 28 fours and six sixes, including three in succession to hurry him along from 200 to 250. The OUTsurance Oval boasts some of the best lights for night cricket in the country and it 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. POLOKWANE Peter Mokaba Stadium The Peter Mokaba Stadium is named after an anti-apartheid activist. It is located in Polokwane, the birthplace of Mokaba, in the Limpopo Province and seats almost 42 000 people. It is a mere five kilometres from the city centre. The design of the stadium is inspired by the iconic Baobab tree. Each corner of the stadium features giant ‘trunk’ structures which accommodate vertical circulation ramps and service cores. The venue hosted four first round matches during the Fifa World Cup.

It has since been used by a number of Premier Soccer League clubs as an alternate venue, including SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs, and Black Leopards. RUSTENBURG Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace was opened in 1999. Not much work was needed to prepare it to host Fifa World Cup™ matches in 2010. Five matches took place at the ground: four in the first round and one in the second round. It is to be found in Rustenburg and is named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area. The Royal Bafokeng people are a rich community, whose wealth is founded on the royalties paid to it by mining companies for access to platinum, ferrochrome, rhodium, and palladium. The stadium, located 12 kilometres from the Rustenburg city centre, seats 42 000 and is home to Platinum Stars, a Premier Soccer League club in which Royal Bafokeng Sports Holdings owns a majority share. It is also a 25-minute drive from Sun City and a half-hour drive from the beautiful Pilansberg Mountains.

NELSPRUIT Mbombela Stadium The Mbombela Stadium, in Nelspruit, seats close to 42 000 people and was especially built for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™, during which is hosted five first round matches. It is named after the municipality in which the stadium is found and the name, which comes from one of South Africa’s 11 official languages, Siswati, means “many people together in a small space.” The stadium is only seven kilometres from the city centre and 12 kilometres from the Kruger-Mpumalanga Airport. It is located in a part of South Africa renowned for its game reserves and wildlife. The stadium design has wildlife features, with the 18 roof supports resembling giraffes and the seating patterned in zebra stripes. The stadium was the first top class football venue built in the province of Mpumalanga. Premier Soccer League club Bidvest Wits uses it for some of the team’s home matches. Would you like to use this article in your publication or on your website? See: Using SAinfo material TAGS

Question: In which South African city is the Wanderers test ground ?
Answer: JOHANNESBURG