World Cup dawns on S Africa

Although being 83rd in the rankings, the South African team have been unbeaten in their last 12 matches and are new national heroes [AFP]

The performance of the South African team has added to an unprecedented rush of nationalistic excitement [AFP]

The kick off match ended in a 1-1 tie between South Africa and Mexico [AFP]

Brazil striker, Luis Fabiano, during a team training session ahead of their first round match [AFP]

In 1995 the mostly white rugby team was inspired to victory by then-president Nelson Mandela, who used sport to unite black and white [Getty Images]

Johannesburg(***)s Nelson Mandela Bridge, a 284-metre-long structure, is one of the country(***)s most iconic features [Shine 2010]

South Africans of all races and backgrounds have been welcoming guests to the country [AwesomeSA]

South Africa is football crazy and the game is played all over the country [Getty Images]

Fans from all over the world, as well as the African continent, have flocked to support their teams [AFP]

Bafana Bafana, the South African team, has whipped South Africans into a frenzy with recent victories [AFP]

There are 32 teams that will be competing in this year(***)s tournament [AFP]

South African authorities say they have spent tens of millions of dollars to improve safety for visitors [AFP]

The sound of the Vuvuzela - a large, colourful plastic trumpet with the sound of a foghorn - can be heard everywhere [AFP]

The South African national flag first flew on 10 May 1994 – the day Nelson Mandela became president [AFP]