Page 421 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

SPECIALINTEREST HOLID A Y S 419

(see p162), and the Wanderers and proud tradition here. The
cricket grounds in Johannesburg. game has produced such great
The country’s favourite sport golfers as Gary Player, winner of
is football, but the game has a record 163 international
only recently started to attract competi tions, and more
serious financial investment. recently Ernie Els, who upholds
The legacy of the 2010 FIFA Springbok pride in the world’s
World Cup, which was hosted major tournaments.
by South Africa, includes 10 Since the 1980s and the start
major stadiums, which today of the global golf boom, South
are used by teams in the Africa has seen an extensive
South African Premier programme of course upgrades
Soccer League (PSL). This is and new builds. These include
made up of 15 clubs with the Jack Nicklaus’ signature course
Chiefs, Sundowns, Wits, Pirates at Pearl Valley Golf and
and Ajax being consistently Country Estate and Fancourt
the highest-ranking teams. Golf Club Estate, which is
Nectar-feeding Malachite sunbird, with As with rugby, match day is picturesquely set on the Garden
emerald plumage always a great event, attracting Route and widely acknowledged
enthusiastic supporters in as one of the world’s best and
dinosaur tracks or San rock their tens of thousands. most scenic challenges.
art. Accommodation is in The most famous course
Basotho huts, with traditional of all is the Gary Player Country
food and dancing provided Club at Sun City, whose
by the local people. immaculate greens host the
Nedbank Golf Challenge. Other
top courses to have featured on
Bird-Watching, Flora and the European PGA Tour, the
Fauna Trails
local Sunshine Tour and the
Blessed with a prodigious South African Open include
variety of indigenous birds, Durban’s Erinvale Golf Club,
along with vast flocks of Leopard Creek Country Club
migratory birds that pass and Glendower Golf Club.
through during the colder The country’s terrain and
European winters, South Africa balmy climate, especially in and
is a bird-watchers’ paradise. around the Winelands (see
BirdLife South Africa provides pp192–209) and the Garden
checklists of the more than 800 Route (see pp236–45), are
species recorded in the country. Beautiful view from the green of Leopard perfect for the best enjoyment
It also recommends the best Creek golf course of the game, and the facilities
birding spots. are usually just as outstanding.
There is also a wide range of Golf This has led to an increase in
fauna to be seen. Seal or whale- The game of golf was the popularity of golf package
watching (see pp190–91) are introduced to South Africa by holidays, and South Africa
very popular along the coast, British – and notably Scottish – now claims to be the most
either from a boat or dry land colonialists during the early successful golfing nation per
with binoculars. Safaris or 19th century, and has a long capita in the world.
wilderness trails both offer an
amazing opportunity to view
wild animals and flora in their
natural habitat, and are an
essential part of any trip to
South Africa, but it is essential
to book well in advance
(see pp66–71).

Spectator Sports
For those who prefer watching
to participating, world-class
rugby and cricket can be
enjoyed at modern stadiums,
such as the New lands sports
grounds in Cape Town Watching cricket at Newlands grounds, with Table Mountain as a backdrop