With the 2010 Football World Cup being hosted in South Africa, there are plenty of refurbishments being done, new buildings being built and a general sense of renewed excitement, as Johannesburg is one of the main host cities. Soccer has plenty of supporters and is one of the top sports in Johannesburg. One can often see friendly games being played on open lots, in the streets, and of course, on designated stadiums.

The more prolific teams in Johannesburg are:

• Kaizer Chiefs (also known as Amakhosi), who make their home at the Johannesburg Stadium
• The Morocco Swallows who base themselves at the FNB Stadium, and
• The Orlando Pirates (more commonly known as the Buccaneers), who base themselves at the Rand Stadium.

These teams are the main contenders from Johannesburg in South Africa’s local annual Premier Soccer League. The Bafana Bafana team, with the best players taken from these clubs, play the international games, like the Africa Cup.

Ellis Park Stadium is best known for rugby, and is home to the Super 14 rugby competition that takes place between South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, which is played at the beginning of each year. The domestic rugby competition, the Currie Cup, is played from mid-September, and Ellis Park is once again, one of the main stadiums where rugby is played.

The cricket season starts in October, with the Supersport 4day series being played at the Supersport Stadium in Johannesburg. Cricket is also often played at the Wanderers Club, which stages international and local events, playing first class cricket, one day series, and test matches.

Running is another favourite sport taken seriously in Johannesburg, with hundreds of clubs meeting every Sunday, for mini marathons.

Cycling clubs are very popular too, and so is hiking.Whether hiking takes place in a botanical garden, or driving out of the city limits to hike up one of the mountains, it is a growing sport, with a few climbers residing in Johannesburg, (even though Johannesburg itself is relatively flat), having conquered some of the most difficult peaks in the world.

Golfing in South Africa is huge - there are a number of beautifully designed fairways a mere stones throw away from wherever you are. The Gary Player internationally renowned golf courses at the Sun City Resort Complex, are two of the most beautiful courses, with pars of 72, and raised tees, making for an exciting game. The Gary Player Golf Course also hosts the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge, played in December, which attracts international and local professional golfers.

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