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2010 World Cup

Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace
(Rustenburg)

Capacity: 42 000
Budget: R147-million
Architect: BSP Architects
Constructor: To be appointed
Start building: September 2007
Target LOC/Fifa completion date: December 2008
Scheduled completion date: December 2008

2010 World Cup matches:

Four first-round matches and one second-round match.

Details and progress:

Royal Bafokeng is, like Loftus, privately owned. This means that before public funds could flow into the upgrading of the stadium (a private entity) a Memorandum of Understanding had to be signed between Rustenburg municipality and Royal Bafokeng (likewise, City of Tshwane and Blue Bulls). Progress is going smoothly.
2009 Confederations Cup venue

The City

One of the fastest-growing cities in South Africa, Rustenburg is famous for its platinum. The city is home to the two largest platinum mines in the world, as well as the largest platinum refinery, and produces almost 70 percent of the world’s platinum supply.

It was formed in 1851 as an administrative centre for the fertile farming in the area, and was also home to former Boer leader Paul Kruger.

On the sporting front the city plays host to top-flight side Platinum Stars, who recently relocated to the area from Limpopo. They finished second in the Premier League to Mamelodi Sundowns last season and won the inaugural Telkom Knockout Cup in 2006.

They are expected to kick on to even greater heights following their take-over by the rich Royal Bafokeng Nation.