My wife and I (along with another couple) will be traveling in and around South Africa in late May and early June. When we travel, we sometimes like to take in a game from the local league. From what I can find from news reports, there will still be some footy going on during this time. Anybody have any advice about attending a game in SA? Thanks in advance for any assistance.
We're flying into Joburg on the 20th, traveling around until the 14th of June in various places. Is the soccer season still going on? Would it be possible to see a game in Capetown near the end of our trip? Thanks for your help.
These are my thoughts: Swallows and Ajax Cape Town are playing on May 22 in Joburg, which should be a good game. But the Rand Stadium probably isn't the easiest to get to or the best to show off SA soccer. Perhaps a better option is seing Ajax and Hellenic at Newlands in Cape Town on June 9, if you're there by then. Thats one of the leagues best (Ajax) against a team that will be relegated, but they're both from cape town, plus Ajax is one of the 2 teams that is still in the title race and it could go down to that last game, so it should be a good atmosphere. Those are my recommendations. If you can't actually make it to a game you can pop into a pub on a saturday or sunday afternoon during your trip and at least get a taste of the local soccer on TV. Any of the Chiefs or Ajax games should be exciting as those are the teams still playing for the championship. Let me know if you have any other questions (about SA soccer or SA in general). I hope that helps and have a great trip!
Let me offer congrats to SA on deservedly getting the World Cup. Glad you didn't get ripped off this time. Hopefully the party will still be going on when we arrive on Thursday. We might be able to see the June 9th game in Capetown if everything works out right. Are there any games in Capetown on the 12th or 13th if we miss it? Is it possible to buy tickets at the gate? Do you have any suggestions for moderately-priced hotels in good areas? Thanks in advance for your help.
D_M- I'm not a South African (i'm an american living here, my girlfriend's actually from greely!) but I sure felt like one this weekend. The celebrations began at noon on saturday and didn't stop for the whole weekend. I have no doubt that you'll still see some excitement and celebration this weekend. Just mention 2010 anywhere and you'll get beaming smiles. As for soccer, there are no games after that game on the 9th. Thats actually the final game of the league season. You can always buy tickets at the gate and they are cheap by american standards. Which areas are you looking for hotels? I don't know cape town at all, but if you are planning to spend in time in Joburg I could give tips on what to see/do.
I would highly suggest at least one stop at Nando's. mmm... peri-peri chicken it's so much more than fast food and sorely lacking in the US.