The Stadium

This magnificent new 70 000-seater stadium purpose-built to replace the old Green Point arena � will host eight key FIFA World Cup games, including a quarterfinal and semifinal.

Expect the world's TV cameras to go bananas over this stadium: it's set a stone's throw away from the Atlantic Ocean, with Table Mountain and Signal Hill as its backdrop.

And expect Mother City soccer fans to love it too: its noise-reducing cladding will keep the atmosphere inside the stadium bowls and you just know the locals will be bringing the noise.

The City

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world with Table Mountain as a backdrop and Table Bay harbour, Cape Town was originally established in 1652 as a way-station for Dutch ship en route to East Africa, India and the Far East.

These days it counts as the third-largest city in South Africa behind Johannesburg and Durban, and also serves as the country's legislative capital, with tourism the biggest source of income.

Although more famous for its rugby and cricket, Cape Town does have two clubs in the 16-team Absa Premier League in Santos and Ajax Cape Town, a feeder club of Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam.

The 'Mother City', as it is commonly known, also came close to hosting the 2004 Olympic Games, finishing third in voting ahead of Buenos Aires and Stockholm.