World City Guide

Sport

Johannesburg’s favourite sports are soccer, road-running, rugby and cricket (in that order). Early each Sunday morning, road-runners gather in their tens of thousands to take part in road races organised by dozens of athletic clubs, such as the RAC (Rand Athletic Club), Benoni Harriers, Pirates and Varsity Kudus. There is comprehensive online information (website: www.worldofendurance.com) available for running information, as well as cycling, mountain biking, adventure racing, canoeing and triathlon.

In general, South Africans are soccer mad and the Johannesburg clubs play either in the PSL (Professional Soccer League) or the MTN Supersport Leagues. In the PSL, top Johannesburg teams and fierce rivals are the Amakhozi or Kaizer Chiefs (website: www.kaizerchiefs.com), The Birds or Morocco Swallows, and Buccaneers/Bucs or Orlando Pirates (website: www.orlandopirates.co.za), which are based at the city’s Johannesburg, Rand and FNB stadiums respectively. The Wits University team, Clever Boys, is right up there with the best of them and, with a player membership of over 1,500, is one of the world’s largest clubs. The city’s best, under the MTN banner, are Katlehong City and Alexander United, who play at the Alexander and Reiger Park stadiums.

Home to the Gauteng Lions, the formidable Johannesburg rugby team, Ellis Park, South Park Street (tel: (011) 402 8644/8; website: www.ellispark.com) is arguably the world’s most famous rugby stadium, while the famed cricket team, Highveld Strikers (website: www.highveldstrikers.co.za), are based at Johannesburg’s renowned Wanderers Stadium, Corlett Drive, Illovo (tel: (011) 788 1008; website: www.wanderers.co.za). This provincial team takes part in the prestigious Supersport and Standard Bank Cup series.

There are a vast number of excellent websites, all trying to keep up with the South African’s insatiable appetite for sport. There is a website for soccer enthusiasts (website: www.supersoccer.co.za), which is the best place to find out everything concerning clubs, fixtures, venues and tickets. There is a website (www.superrugby.co.za) that provides information on rugby, and an extremely informative one for South African cricket (www.rsa.cricket.org). There is a comprehensive website (www.iol.co.za) for full schedules and press reports online; sports enthusiasts should click on sport.

Most tickets for major sporting events are available through Ticketweb (website: www.ticketweb.co.za) or Computicket (website: www.computicket.co.za).

Golf: There are dozens of good golf-courses in and around Johannesburg, including Bryanston Country Club, Bryanston Drive, Bryanston (tel: (011) 706 1391), Houghton Golf Club, Second Avenue, Houghton (tel: (011) 728 7337), Randpark Golf Club, Setperk Street, Windsor Park (tel: (011) 476 1691), and Royal Johannesburg Golf Club (tel: (011) 640 3021; website: www.royaljk.za.com). Visitor’s green fees range from R130 to R200. Visiting golfers must carry proof of membership of any bona fide golf club. Caddies and carts are available for hire at all courses at approximately R70 and R130 respectively. Further information is available online (website: www.sa-venues.com/gauteng_golf_courses.htm).

Gyms: With the recent demise of the extensive Health and Racquet Club chain, which had over a dozen branches in Johannesburg, Richard Branson’s Virgin Active has stepped in to refurbish the gyms (tel: (0860) 200 911; website: www.virginactive.co.za). There are branches at Bedfordview (tel: (011) 455 1870); Bruma Lake (tel: (011) 616 6373); Bryan Park (tel: (011) 463 6610); Cresta Centre (tel: (011) 476 2223); Fourways Mall (tel: (011) 465 9590); Morningside (tel: (011) 883 1951); Northgate (tel: (011) 794 2402); Old Eds (Houghton East) (tel: (011) 483 1298); Randburg (tel: (011) 792 8860); Sandton (tel: (011) 883 4633); and Vodaworld (Midrand) (tel: (011) 318 3355).

Horseracing: There are three racecourses in and around Johannesburg – Turffontein in Johannesburg, Newmarket in Alberton and Gosforth Park in Germiston. South Africa has world-class breeders and trainers who have developed the sport to the highest international standards. Newmarket Turf Club, Alberton (tel: (011) 907 9753), is one of the most famous horseracing courses in South Africa. Night racing is a new innovation. Details of meetings are published in the press.

Swimming: There are sparkling, well-maintained public pools in the suburbs of Brixton (tel: (011) 837 2440), Ellis Park (tel: (011) 402 5565), Linden (tel: (011) 888 3750), Parkview (tel: (011) 646 8754) and Roosevelt Park (tel: (011) 782 2474).

Tennis: Public courts are available at the municipal Marks Park complex, located on Judith Road, Emmarentia (tel: (011) 486 1963), and at various recreation centres, such as Paterson Park, in Norwood (tel: (011) 728 7250). Many of the golf clubs listed above have their own tennis courts.