Provincial premier Helen Zille feared that future generations would never forgive her if this locally resisted stadium spoiled the view of Table Mountain. Fortunately it’s a world class masterpiece, wrapped in noise-reducing cladding that blends exquisitely into its surroundings
Construction new
Capacity 66,005
First match 11 June, Group A, Uruguay v France
Still to do Local transport is still being finalised
Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images
The ’Touch Down Restaurant’ testifies that this is a rugby citadel, witness to the Springboks’ 1995 Mandela-inspired World Cup win. A new tier on the north stand has increased seating capacity. Functional rather than beautiful
Construction minor upgrade
Capacity 61,639
First match 12 June, Group B, Argentina v Nigeria
Still to do The pitch looked sandy after hammering by rugby teams
Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Conjured the best atmosphere on last week’s official tour with hundreds of football fans singing and dancing, though rugby posts were still in place. Upgraded from a capacity of 38,000 to 45,000 during refurbishments, spread over two efficient tiers
Construction medium upgrade
Capacity 45,058
First match 14 June, Group E, Japan v Cameroon
Still to do Access roads need to be finished
Photograph: Stephane De Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
One of the oldest stadiums in South Africa, used for major sporting events since 1903. Has undergone perennial upgrades since 1948 and been used for both football and rugby. Won’t win awards for architecture but has a compact feel despite its size
Construction upgrade
Capacity 49,365
First match 13 June, Group D, Serbia v Ghana
Still to do Cultivating the pitch once the rugby players have gone
Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Striking for the 18 giant tension rods that resemble giraffe necks and the black and white seats striped like a zebra; this is, after all, Kruger Park country. Players should bring sunglasses for the lurid green and blue changing room interiors
Construction new
Capacity 43,589
First match 16 June, Group H, Honduras v Chile
Still to do The pitch is still an arid dustbowl for birds after two failed attempts to grow quality grass
Photograph: Stephane De Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
A cable car ascends to a viewing platform at the top of a 350m, German-built grad arch, 106m above the pitch. The arch is also open to walkers and bungee jumpers. A fibre-coated roof from Mexico covers 95% of spectators, while the seats are in blue, green, white and orange to represent the ocean and sunrise
Construction new
Capacity 69,957
First match 13 June, Group D, Germany v Australia
Still to do New grass has to be laid for what will be the South African winter
Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Set on the shores of a lake, another spectacular with a roof that looks like a sunflower - sort of - designed to resist high winds. The seats are bold red and orange, the pitch a vibrant green. Twelve Chinese workers installed up to 1,000 seats per day
Construction new
Capacity 46,082
First match 12 June, Group B, South Korea v Greece
Still to do The city mayor says that some access roads are “75% there”, others “95%”. He’s still awaiting buses imported from Brazil
Photograph: Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images
The design is inspired by the locally famed baobab tree with giant “trunk” structures in each corner. The red, brown and orange seats form a pattern that resembles mountains and are nearly on top of the pitch. The dressing rooms contain mini football pitches
Construction new
Capacity 45,264
First match 13 June, Group C, Algeria v Slovenia
Still to do Find a purpose once the World Cup is over
Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
England’s campaign will start in modest trapping that would feel intimate but for an athletics track. Most of the stands are relatively squat two-tier affairs. The neighbourhood is gritty shacks and fish and chips Construction minor upgrade
Capacity 44,530
First match 12 June, Group C, England v USA
Still to do The road from Sun City is potholed, but a local official has promised to resign if it’s not finished in time
Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images
Could be a spaceship from the South African sci-fi hit District 9, but is actually based on the African cooking pot known as the calabash, all the more spectacular at night. A true jewel in the crown and worthy host of the opening match and final
Construction major upgrade
Capacity 88,460
First match 11 June, Group A, South Africa v Mexico
Still to do The half-paved approach to the stadium is a building site populated by men in orange bibs, cranes and piles of rubbish
Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
