History of South African Sport: IV. Soccer

The South African Football Association (S.A.F.A) was founded in 1892. The first match that year was the start of the Currie Cup, a gold cup. Western Province beat Griqualand West. The tournament grew in stature as other provinces began to compete.

Soccer was played before SAFA was established. The Natal Football Association was formed in 1882 by five clubs. The game was supported mainly by the English-speaking section of the community and after the First World War by immigrants from Europe. Crowds of up to 20,000 spectators attended club matches in Johannesburg just after the Second World War.

A mutual spirit of goodwill has always marked the relationship between South African Soccer and Rugby, by providing Rugby grounds to play on. Not much has changed since, with many Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams still utilizing Rugby grounds.

The first overseas visitors to South Africa were English club Corinthians in 1897, they won all 23 matches. Many other club teams followed to play our national team due to the relatively low standard of Soccer.

In 1906 the first international match took place against Argentina in Argentina, South Africa won 4-1. 1907 saw the first black association formed; The Durban & District African Football Association.

After the Second World War many of South Africa’s foremost players joined the professional ranks in England and elsewhere. After being affiliated with FIFA in 1952, in 1976 we were suspended from International competition due to racial discrimination.

Eleven clubs from Johannesburg and Pretoria founded the National Professional Football League (N.F.L) in 1959. 40,000 people watched the 1960 final between Highlands Park and Durban City.

The National soccer league of South Africa was formed in 1985. For many South Africans the country's proudest sporting moment came when we won the Africa Cup of Nations on home turf in 1996—having failed even to qualify for the previous cup.

South Africa's most important club Soccer league came into being in 1997, the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Local competitions include the Nedbank Cup, Telkom Knockout and the MTN8.

Orlando Pirates are the oldest soccer team in South Africa and its support base extends across the country's borders. Pirates are the only South African team so far to have won Africa's premier club competition, the Champions League, a feat they achieved in 1995.

The more well known South African club team is Kaizer Chiefs. Spelt with a "z" not "s" like the British indie rock band who's name actually comes from the club in honour of ex-Leeds United and Kaizer Chiefs player, Lucas Radebe.

In 1998 Bafana Bafana appeared in their first FIFA World Cup finals, losing to the hosts and eventual winners, France.

Whatever Bafana Bafana’s performance, they will take part in the 2010 tournament—they receive an automatic qualification, because South Africa is hosting the event.

South Africa was announced as host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in May 2004. The decision meant the Rainbow Nation would become the first African hosts of Soccer's show-piece event.

The fifth instalment of the series can be read at:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/74135-history-of-south-african-sport-v-rugby