Reflecting natural features with its saddle shape, the Royal Bafokeng sporting premise is set to play an important role, becoming more of a soccer stadium after rugby 1995; the stadium is set to embrace more of this legacy by being one of the ten stadiums to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup soccer tournament.

Like the Free State stadium, in preparations ahead of this spectacular event; the Royal Bafokeng is scheduled to undergo minor refurbishments. The process has been arranged in the following manner:

(a) Capacity: the original seating capacity of the stadium is 38 000 and is set to be increased to 42 000
(b) Other details of the stadium are as follows:
o The Western Stand is being adjusted to enable the 500 VIP’s seats to be shaded, and to accommodate the media tribune. The media contingent is unusually large but this will only be for the Overlay stadium.

o Basic interior changes and upgrades to the interior of the stadium are being undertaken. The existing seats are still in good condition and an allowance for replacing 15% of the stadium’s chairs has been made. The 500 VIP seats will be replaced with tip-up seats to meet the space requirements for this block.

o The Media Centre is another important requirement; a pricing for the Legacy stadium has been included although this could also be an Overlay. Increasing the capacity of the ablutions including both temporary and permanent structures is also being undertaken.

o The existing full-body turnstiles in the stadium are not acceptable for FIFA 2010 World Cup and will be replaced and the quantity of turnstiles be increased. It is therefore necessary to upgrade the turnstiles and extend the inner circle perimeter to include ablutions and concession stalls.

o The stadium equipment is also to be upgraded; the lighting, PA system and score boards, in particular, as the requirements for FIFA are stringent in this regard.

All these arrangement are estimated to be achieved with a cost totaling R330-million and the stipulated period for commencement was scheduled to begin as of October 2007, which was adhered to, to be completed by December 2008 – a deadline that is required by Fifa and is very much on track to be achieved.

During the 2010 Fifa World Cup matches; the Bafokeng Plaza is scheduled to operate as a shopping complex but with strict conditions that comply with Fifa and the host city agreements. The management of the sporting premise remains under the municipality of Bafokeng people who have kept this stadium in very good fix. Post 2010 World Cup the stadium will continue to host other sporting activities in the maintenance of its existence, events and others.

Royal Bafokeng Stadium

The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is one of the stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The stadium is named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area.

In 1999, the Bafokeng won a legal battle, which entitled them to 20% on the platinum which is mined on their historical land. Hence, they have shares in platinum mining in the area. Upon completion, the stadium will seat 42,000.

The South African national team played a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Bakino Faso in 2001, and won 2-1. It has been host to many Premier Soccer League games despite Rustenburg not having its own team.

The stadium is only a 25 minute drive to Sun City and 30 minutes to the Pilansberg. It is 12 kilometers from the Rustenburg city centre.

Real Bafokeng

El Real Bafokeng es uno de los estadios elegidos para celebrar la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2010. El nombre del estadio deriva del pueblo Bafokeng, que vive en la región.

En 1999, los Bafokeng ganaron una batalla legal por la que reclamaron la propiedad del 20% del platino que se extrae de las minas situadas en su territorio histórico. De ahí que posean acciones de las minas de platino que existen en la región.

Cuando se termine de remodelar, el estadio dispondrá de 42,000 localidades de asiento.

La selección sudafricana jugó en este recinto un partido de clasificación para la Copa Mundial de la FIFA contra Burkina Faso en 2001, y ganó por 2-1. Asimismo, el estadio ha albergado numerosos partidos de la Premier Soccer League, pese a que Rustenburgo no cuenta con un equipo propio.

El estadio está a sólo 25 minutos en automóvil de Sun City, y a 30 minutos de Pilansberg. Está situado a 12 kilómetros del centro de la ciudad de Rustenburgo.