There are adequate and pleasant flights at highly competitive rates.

Best of all – whereas in many countries road travel isn’t considered unfortunately – it is a way of life it seems to me in South Africa – the beauty and making a holiday out of the travel alone is memorable. So many different, diverse stop-overs – few places where there isn’t some interest or attraction. When I’m there I try to avoid flying because going by road is as said, a holiday of it’s own. But it depends on personal preferences.

There is no need to justify on your comment about seeing the townships – I’ve witnessed worse in other countries who are the first to deny same. If your outlook is that prejudiced – a great pity for you.

Otherwise, If you’re also going out there for the big games – hope you enjoy it which-ever way.

accept for maybe little things like buses and trains…..Its basically impossible to travel around most of SA without a car

As for “envying the quality of life”…..well I guess you couldnt see the townships from your hotel bar.

Abstaining from being pedantic and commenting on each point – the following:-

Who-ever works of stats as a reliable source of data analysis re: the issues covered in today’s terms needs a re-induction to stats which are not fully collective, thus do not adequately represent the truth.

The article is entirely misplaced to the title.

Just as many countries ask selected persons like myself for the truth and more realistic articles regarding sport which is not well publicized – to be more to the point – SANITISED…. yes indeed – so do celebs from all walks choose South Africa as their preferred holiday destinations – and the list can go on. Further, before quoting the killings / murders or how-ever you would like to percieve same – have you checked the crime in Washington, Sydney etc adequately?

Normally media thrive on some sensationalism, this article looks like it was a “have-to-do-job” on a 24/24 fullout day – i.e. anything will do.

Yes there is crime – so there is to different yet no less frightening intensities elsewhere in the world.

Don’t downsize the capability and size of cities – why? I was personally mortified at “the largest super-store” in a few first world countries being only on average with medium-sized towns in South Africa – yes – it’s not fiction but fact.

Equally, just as the article dismisses the infrastructure – so comparatives were witnessed in other first world countries where people concluded via the media only that these were similar to a small mining village. Rather pathetic. And definitely not what I have witnessed in South Africa where there is a world in one country – it’s in the eye and mind of the beholder…?

Or is it? Very much so. Fact.

As for the infrastructure – do your homework. One cannot compare it with the USA for example, yet it lacks nothing the USA (for e.g.) has by and large.

I envy the quality of life, freedom and dynamic spirit contained in South Africa and have no doubts about it being my favourite country for tours as well as the months I have stayed there meaning that by actually living there, it’s not an illusionary dream merely resulting from a vacation, but total reality.

There are negatives – however the article is not balanced at all.

A pity it was incorporated in DAILY ROAR.

There are 6 spots that need to be filled. Here are my predictions as to what will happen in the qualifying games tomorrow.

Egypt 1 – Algeria 1
This extraordinary one off game played in Khartoum, Sudan will I go down to penalties. The Pharoahs to win this one 5 – 4 in the shootout.

In the other games –

France 2 – Ireland 0 ( 3 – 0 Aggregate)
France to qualify

Ukraine 1 – Greece 1 ( 1 – 1 Aggregate)
Greece to qualify on the away goals rule

Slovenia 1 – Russia 1 (2 – 3 aggregate)
Russia to qualify

Bosnia 2 – Portugal 1 (2 – 2 Aggregate)
Portugal to qualify on the away goals

Uruguay 2 – Costa Rica 1 (3 – 1 Aggregate)
Uruguay to qualify

Its going to be pretty tense tomorrow morning.