Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

One of three newly built stadiums designed by German studio GMP Architekten, Cape Town’s prestigious Green Point Stadium is one of the most inspiring of South Africa’s selection. Respecting the iconic Cape Town skyline – dominated by Table Mountain – the Green Point is a 68,000 capacity stadium, and will host one of the semi-finals…..

Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban

On the shore of the Indian ocean, GMP Architekten‘s Moses Mabhida Stadium is situated in a sporting precinct in Durban, and should England reach the semi finals, the expansive 350m arch should at least make them feel at home. Definitely a future icon for the city, the 70,000 seater also, rather impressively, boasts a cable car that whisks you up to the ‘Skydeck’, which sits atop the 106m high arch….

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

GMP Architekten‘s final addition to the South African stadia is a unique structure that will host total of eight matches during the World Cup. The 46,000 capacity stadium sits overlooking a lake at the centre of a park in the heart of Port Elizabeth and has been tailored for local weather conditions – namely offering protection from sun and high winds…..

Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg

Featured on We Heart back in January, Johannesburg’s iconic Soccer City, formerly known as the FNB Stadium, has been given somewhat of a remarkable facelift, courtesy of South African architects architects Boogertman Urban Edge + Partners. The unique, fluid façade is punctured by a series of open and glazed panels that, by night, offer this World Cup a hint of the visual glamour that Herzog & de Meuron delivered for Germany’s competition with their awe-inspiring Allianz Arena in Munich. The 80,000 seater colossus is a fitting venue for the World Cup final…..

Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

With it’s close proximity to game parks, R&L Architects‘ newly built 41,000 capacity Mbombela Stadium, has been built with respect to it’s remarkable natural surroundings, with it’s wonderfully unique giraffe-like roof supports and zebra patterned seating. Built with an ethos of ‘Keep it Simple’, this unmistakably African stadium was by far the lowest cost of the 2010-fresh stadia…..

Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

Another Johannesburg icon – it was the spot where the South African rugby team shocked New Zealand to lift the 1995 World Cup – was rebuilt in 1982, having been first built back in 1928. With a capacity of 62,000, Ellis Park Stadium will host 7 games, including a quarter final…..

Free State Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein

Having been built in 1952, The Free State Stadium was given a new look just in time for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 41,000 seater will play host to 6 games during the World Cup……

Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

The final freshly built stadium of 2010′s World Cup is Polokwane’s 42,000 seater, named after the controversial former leader of the ANC Youth League, Peter Mokaba – whose part in the inspirational fight against apartheid was laudable, yet his possible invention and frequent use of a call to murder white people, “Kill the boer, kill the farmer” and denial of HIV’s existence, will most likely not be mentioned by Adrian Chiles or Gary Lineker….

Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg

Host to England’s opener against the USA, Rustenburg’s recently rennovated – capacity was increased from 38,000 to 44,530 – stadium will play host to 5 more World Cup matches…..

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Tshwane/Pretoria

Finally – one of the oldest stadiums in South Africa, Loftus Versfeld Stadium has been used for major sporting events since 1903 and over the coming weeks, the home to one of the country’s top rugby teams – The Blue Bulls – will host 6 World Cup matches…..