rugby world cup

With days to go to kickoff, World Cup fever has hit South Africa in earnest. Confidence and excitement levels on the streets have reached a 10-year high as the country counts down to what many South Africans are describing as a "second miracle," after the country's transition to democracy in 1994.

Bafana Bafana’s recent wins in World Cup warm-up matches have whipped South Africans into a frenzy – especially in Pretoria, where the national football team secured a nail-biting victory over Denmark on 5 June.
• SA buzzing with World Cup spirit

South Africa hosts the world’s first social rugby tournament in June 2009. The event is aimed at those players for whom the sport is more of a passion than a job, and already numerous social rugby teams from all around the world have signed up.

Until 1994, when South Africans queued from the crack of dawn to cast a democratic vote for the first time in their lives, it seemed impossible that such a thing could happen. It also seemed impossible that an African country would host the world’s greatest football showpiece. And now it will happen in 2010, writes Justice Malala.

Visitors and soccer fans can look forward to a safe visit to South Africa during the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup and 2010 Fifa World Cup as the country's security plans are finalised, says Deputy National Police Commissioner Andre Pruis.

It took a long time, but South Africa finally ended their decade-long run without a win on New Zealand soil with a thrilling 30-28 victory on Saturday. It was the Springboks' first win in eight matches at Dunedin - and the All Blacks' fourth loss ever at "The House of Pain".

When South Africa takes to the field in their final Rugby World Cup Pool A match against the United States in Montpellier on Sunday, Jake White will reach the 50-match milestone as Springbok coach, the first man to achieve the feat.

Blessed with beautiful weather and almost windless conditions, the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour provided a fitting conclusion to the Giro del Capo as Team Barloworld's Robert Hunter secured a home victory for South Africa on Sunday.

Many yachtsmen would baulk at the thought of the America's Cup being sailed in the notoriously rough waters off Cape Town. But that's where Africa's first challenger in the history of sailing's most prestigious event hails from: the Cape of Storms. The Cape of Good Hope.

Who was the first black South African to play professional football in Europe? Who kicked the most drop-goals ever in a rugby test match? Which sportsman can claim to have suffered the most jet-lag? Take a quick spin through our assortment of South African sports trivia.