Brazil vs. Ivory Coast

Last night we headed off to the legendary 'Soccer City', also known as the 'Calabash', in Soweto. Soweto is a syllabic abbreviation for SOuth WEstern TOwnships, the huge city south west of Johannesburg CBD.

Everyone has been telling us that this match will be one of the best. With a final score of 3-1 to Brazil, had the Brazilians going crazy. They have adopted the Vuvuzela like you wouldn't believe.. Once again I was highly impressed with the Park and Ride. We arrived at Soccer City within 40mins of parking the car at the Wits University Campus.

Brand spanking new, is Soccer City.

Ruth practicing blowing her Vuvuzela!

Now it's my turn!

Soccer City seats 94,700 people. Tonight, the crowds reached 84,000. Lordy, that is a lot of people blowing vuvuzelas. As you all know, it sounds like a swarm of African Killer Bees!

Singing of the National Anthems....

Play gets underway...

USA vs Slovenia

Yoh! This will be a soccer weekend of note....

Yesterday we saw the USA versus Slovenia. Pretty exciting game which ended in a 2-2 draw. Slovenia thought they had it in the bag until the second half when the USA came back with revenge....

At the Park and Ride the atmosphere was already starting to build. Fans were very excited even from the word GO! This had been a long time coming and was one of the reasons for Ruth and I to extend our stay in South Africa. To catch the atmosphere of the 2010 World Cup.

In the photo below is Jane (a friend of Ruth's who is a Kiwi volunteer worker). On the far right is a work colleague and friend of mine, Pravesh.... Taken just outside the stands at Ellis Park, where the Springboks beat the New Zealand All Blacks in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was a pivotal point in South Africa's troubled history. I am wearing a 'Makarapa', a typically South African football supporters headwear....
As soon as we arrived, Pravesh got the beers in. Bah! Only Budweiser available, and at R30 a bottle had fans reeling. Then again when a man needs a beer, any price is acceptable. The law of supply and demand.......

Please stand for the National Anthems......

Ruth sunning in the stands... We were so high up, we thought our noses would bleed!

The game gets underway......
I blew my Vuvuzela for 4 hours that day. I am going to market blowing the Vuvuzela as the new collagen replacement for plumping up women's thin lips. Lordy, the next day I had 'Trout Pout' of note!

Ellis Park at twilight. The Hillbrow Tower, a Joburg symbol and landmark is clearly visible in the backgroud.

PS: Below is a link to an article about the Art Therapy Centre where Ruth does some volunteer work for needy kids. Check it out:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/south-africa-leaves-an-indelible-mark-on-wilkinson/story-fn4ke53k-1225880608845

Meeting the New Zealand Soccer Team...

Last night we were privileged to meet the New Zealand soccer team, also known as the 'All Whites'. Their name would have been nice and politically correct in South Africa 20 years ago!


I think everyone has been surprised by New Zealands performance, especially against Italy. How many people said Italy will win? Well, at least the Kiwis are doing better than the Aussies...


Below from left to right is: Chris Wood (Forward), Tim Brown (Midfielder), Rory Fallon (Stiker).
Ruth and I with Winston Reid (Defender).
Here we have Shane Smeltz (Striker), Mark Paston (Goalie) and Dave Mulligan (Midfielder) with a very proud Ruth!

I managed to win a New Zealand All White soccer jersey in a raffle on the night, which I promptly whipped around some of the players for their autographs!