South Africa gears up for 2010 World Cup

The football World Cup is set to light up South Africa this summer, and with England – the sole representative from the UK and Ireland – tipped for a strong performance, fans are desperate to get a piece of the action.

The country has prepared well, with improved facilities in Cape Town and Johannesburg airports and the new King Shaka International Airport opening just north of Durban in May.

In-town transport has also been a focus, while numerous new world-class hotels have arrived, including the One&Only in Cape Town, a Southern Sun hotel in Johannesburg and Radisson properties in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

Five agents – Thomas Cook Sport, Emirates, Thomson Sport (Sportsworld), Keith Prowse and BAC Sport – offer official packages for the event, which runs from June 11 to July 11, but they are selling fast.

Thomson Sport managing director Nathan Wilson says: “Recent demand has been unprecedented, with Thomson Sport selling out of long-stay and finals packages for the diehard England fans.”

Flights and accommodation are in short supply due to block bookings, but with ‘fan parks’ in every host city, and so much to do aside from watching football, many fans unable to afford packages or preferring to travel independently are looking for alternative ways to get there.

Kuoni product manager Ed Light warns: “Many hotels are blocked out to FIFA – and some have also made this traditionally low-season period high season in terms of prices – so there is much less availability than normal.”

England’s group matches are scattered around the country, with the first against the US in Rustenburg on June 12, the second in Cape Town against Algeria on June 18, and the third against Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on June 23. The final will be played in Johannesburg on July 11 (see our stadium-by-stadium guide).

To help clients save money, whatever their allegiances, some operators are suggesting alternative routes into the country to reduce costs. Light suggests flying into a nearby airport, such as Windhoek in Namibia or Lusaka in Zambia, and driving across the border in a hire car.

What to tell clients

• Book as soon as possible – it’s selling fast.
  
• British passports holders don’t require a visa but their passport must be valid for 30 days after the trip and have two adjacent blank pages for entry stamps.
  
• It will be winter, with sunny days and cool nights, so take a fleece jacket, hat and scarf for the evenings.
  
• Do not rely on local trains and buses – they are almost non-existent.
  
• Book hire cars early as demand will be high.
  
• Extra charter flights will be put on to cope with the number of fans in South Africa but, again, book early.
  
• Get to pick-ups on time as there’s often one road in and one road out.
  
• Pre-purchased match tickets must be picked up from the stadium before the game, so get there early – and watch out for fakes.
  
• Take care at night, and keep expensive items under wraps.

Sample product

For England fans who want to see all three group stage matches, Thomson Sport has a 16-night trip centred in Cape Town. Prices start at £3,999 per person including flights, accommodation, ground transport (including a coach to Port Elizabeth), guaranteed access to tickets, and a safari. thomsonsport.com,
0845 121 2018

For those without a team focus, Thomas Cook’s Football Experience trips offer tickets to selected games in Johannesburg and Cape Town, including tickets, flights, accommodation and ground transport. A five-night Johannesburg trip starts at £3,100 per person; six nights in Cape Town start from £3,799 per person. thomascooksport.com, 020 8739 2360

BAC Sport’s ultimate package offers a ticket to the final and three nights at the InterContinental in Johannesburg. Prices start at £7,950 per person including the ticket, flights, accommodation and airport and stadium transfers, with a July 8 departure. bacsport.co.uk, 020 7456 7100