Here’s an extended list of the bases, hotels and training venues of the 32 nations playing in the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

The “NC ratings” are from Neal Collins (@nealcol), the UK-based football journalist and author, who has visited many of the bases personally. His inspection of the venues and training facilities, and the details behind his ratings, can all be found on his blog A Game Apart .

Gauteng Province

Argentina – Pretoria – NC rating: 8/10

Pretoria High Performance Centre

  • The University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre (hpc) is Southern Africa’s first elite performance sports facility. Launched in May 2002, the centre is a venue of choice for sports professionals. A combination of world-class training facilities, medical services, accommodation, nutritional food, scientific expertise, research and hospitality is on offer.
  • The team will train on dedicated grounds at the High Performance Centre.
  • Google Map Link
Australia – Muldersdrift – NC rating: 7/10

Kloofzicht Lodge + St. Stithians College

  • Nestled at the foothills of the Zwartkops Mountains in the Cradle of Humankind, Kloofzicht Lodge is the essence of tranquility and ultimate luxury, a comfortable 40 minute drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria.
  • St. Stithians College is one of the premier private high schools in South Africa. Their grounds will be made available to the Socceroos whilst the scholars are on vacation.
  • Google Map Link
Brazil – Randburg – NC rating: 7/10

The Fairway Hotel & Spa + ?

  • The Fairway is situated on the Randpark Golf Course, 2km from Cresta Shopping Centre in Johannesburg. It is a brand new city hotel that provides for golf, wedding, conference and leisure guest in a safe and tranquil environment.
  • Google Map Link
Germany – Erasmia – NC rating: 6/10

Velmore Hotel, Banquet & Conference Estate

  • Velmore is a brand new, luxury resort property outside of Pretoria. Concerns about its’ licensing and certification have been resolved by the owner, and the German team will stay here for the duration.
  • The German team will train on a specially built pitch on the Estate.
  • Google Map Link
Ghana – Pretoria – NC rating: 6/10

Rhoode Vallei Conference & Meetings Hotel + ?

  • Surrounded by a nature reserve on extensive grounds, this secure, exclusive country hideaway offers 65 individually furnished rooms ensuring the ultimate in comfort.
  • Google Map Link
imageHonduras – Fourways – NC rating: 6/10

The Indaba Hotel & Conference Centre + ?

  • Just north of the fast paced business world of Sandton, lies The Indaba Hotel and Conference Centre nestled beneath the vista of the magnificent Magaliesberg Mountains. It is a blend of business-like convenience and efficiency, along with a relaxed and warm country hospitality atmosphere.
  • Google Map Link
Italy – Centurion – NC rating: 7/10

Leriba Lodge + Zwartkops Hoër School

  • Leriba Lodge is situated on the banks of the Hennops River near the R28 (N14) linking Pretoria & Johannesburg. Billed as “an African bush experience in the city” it is a place with natural beauty, serenity and tranquility.
  • The nearby Zwartkops High School will provide the Italians with a custom-laid training ground for their preparations.
  • Google Map Link

Ivory Coast – Vanderbijlpark – NC rating: 7/10

Riverside Hotel and Conference Centre + Local University Grounds

  • This unique hotel and conference centre is situated on the banks of the Vaal river. Located a few kilometres away from Vanderbijlpark, the resort is only 40 minutes drive from Johannesburg. Both the hotel and Riverview restaurant look out onto lush landscaped gardens sloping down to the Vaal River. An attractive pool deck provides the perfect venue for outdoor dining and is a popular weekend attraction.
  • The Ivorians are using grounds at a local Vanderbijlpark university for the training runs. (Thanks to Andrew for the update)
  • Google Map Link
Korea DPR (North Korea) – Midrand – NC Rating: 6/10

Protea Hotel Midrand + ?

  • The 4–Star Protea Hotel Midrand is situated in a beautifully landscaped garden setting, halfway between the dynamic, bustling cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The hotel provides optimum access to business and shopping destinations throughout the region.
  • Google Map Link
Mexico – Klipriviersberg – NC rating: 8/10

Thaba Ya Batswana Eco Lodge & Spa +Waterstone College Ground

  • Thaba Ya Batswana is surrounded by the southern Johannesburg metropolis, in the Klipriversberg Nature Reserve area and has an abundance of indigenous trees, plants, birds and wildlife.
  • A local schools’ grounds (Waterstone College in Kibler Park) will used by the Mexicans as their training venue.
  • Google Map Link
Netherlands (Holland) – Sandton – NC rating: 8/10

Hilton Sandton Hotel + Milpark Stadium

  • The Hilton Sandton is centrally located on Rivonia Road in Johannesburg’s prestigious northern business district suburb of Sandton.
  • The Milpark Stadium is the home of premier league, and recent Nedbank Cup winners, Wits University.
  • Google Map Link
New Zealand – Hartebeesfontein – NC rating: 8/10

Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate + ?

  • Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate is a new ‘city’ in Gauteng, completely self-contained and secure, with everything inside its perimeter that discerning owners and their families desire.
  • Google Map Link
Portugal – Krugersdorp – NC rating: 7/10

Valley Lodge + ?

  • Less than an hour away from the heart of Gauteng, set on the banks of the Magalies River, lies Valley Lodge, a glorious blend of time-honoured tradition and modern hospitality. Surrounded by a nature reserve on extensive grounds, this secure, exclusive country hideaway offers 65 individually furnished rooms ensuring the ultimate in comfort.
  • Google Map Link
Slovakia – Pretoria – NC rating: 7/10

The Villas Luxury Suite Hotel + Local School Ground

  • The graciousness, style and flair of Villa Via is historically reminiscent of a bygone era, combined with every conceivable modern day convenience. Ideally situated in the Embassy Belt of Pretoria, The Villas is perfect for local and foreign travellers.
  • A local school will provide the training ground and facilities for the Slovakian team.
  • Google Map Link
Slovenia – Hyde Park – NC rating: 7/10

Southern Sun Hyde Park + ?

  • Southern Sun Hyde Park is a brand new 132-room four-star hotel adjoining the high-end Hyde Park Shopping complex, and visible from the busy William Nicol Drive/Jan Smuts Avenue intersection in the heart of one of Johannesburg’s most prestigious suburbs.
  • Google Map Link
South Africa – Sandton – NC rating: 7/10

Southern Sun Grayston Sandton + Wits University & Sturrock Park

  • The hotel is within walking distance from the Sandton City shopping complex, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Sandton Convention Centre, and is situated just 20 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport. Set in beautifully landscaped gardens it boasts 346 elegantly appointed bedrooms.
  • The host team will train at the BidVest Wits home stadium at the University of the Witwatersrand, and at the Sturrock Park grounds.
  • Google Map Link
Switzerland – Vanderbijlpark – NC rating: 6/10

Emerald Resort & Casino + Isak Steyl Stadium, Vanderbijlpark

  • The Emerald Resort resides on the lush banks of the Vaal River, less than an hour from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Presenting a curious mix of contrasts, the it is a place where business is combined with pleasure, action with relaxation, and finesse with frivolity.
  • The Swiss are using the Isak Steyl Stadium near their hotel as their training ground. (Thanks to both Warrick and Andrew for the info)
  • Google Map Link
United States of America – Centurion – NC rating: 8/10

Irene Country Lodge + Southdowns School Grounds

  • Nestled in the historic village of Irene, centrally located between Johannesburg and Pretoria. All 60 en-suite rooms have been gracefully designed in variations of English Country Manor style. Rooms that epitomise good taste with stately wooden furniture and rich fabrics.
  • The specially prepared training grounds at nearby Southdowns private school are considered “reasonable”.
  • Google Map Link

Mpumalanga Province

Chile – White River – NC rating: 8/10

Ingwenyama Conference & Sports Resort

  • Ingwenyama is situated on the outskirts of White River which is in the heart of the beautiful Lowveld. The region is just 3 hours from Johannesburg and thirty minutes from the Kruger National Park.
  • The team while train on the grounds of their hotel.
  • Google Map Link

Northwest Province

England – Rustenburg – NC rating: 9/10

Bafokeng Sports Campus

  • The Bafokeng Sports Campus is a world-class high-altitude sports training destination near Rustenburg. It offers a wide range of fields, tracks, medical facilities and luxury accommodation. It is an ideal destination for off-season training for leading sports teams and sports academies and the hosting of small tournaments.
  • The English will be training in the Campus grounds, on the only training field to be A-Rated by Fifa.
  • Google Map Link
Korea Republic (South Korea) – Magaliesburg – NC rating: 7/10

Hunters Rest Hotel + ?

  • Hunters Rest is a sub-tropical paradise beautifully situated in the foothills of the Magaliesberg just outside Rustenburg. This 6000-hectare resort, boasts many splendid facilities that help to make it one of the most sought after destinations in South Africa for holidays, conferences, business trips or country weddings.
  • Google Map Link

Serbia – Sun City – NC rating: 7/10

Sun City Hotel + ?

  • The Sunnyside Park Hotel in Johannesburg was Serbia’s original choice, but as Neal Collins’ (@nealcol) advises, they moved to Sun City due to “technical reasons”.
  • Google Map Link
Spain – Potchefstroom – NC rating: 8/10

North West University Campus

  • The North-West University is a merged institution from with three campuses at Potchefstroom. The Centre of Excellence facility will be used exclusively by the Spanish team for the duration of the tournament.
  • The team will train on dedicated fields and facilities within the NWU Campus.
  • Google Map Link

Northern Cape Province

Uruguay – Kimberley – NC rating: 4/10

Protea Hotel Kimberley + ?

  • A luxury 4–Star Hotel built on the edge of the famous Kimberley Big Hole. The centrally situated hotel forms the ideal base from which to enjoy and explore all that historical Kimberley has to offer including museums, war routes and most importantly, the new upgraded Kimberley Big Hole and Mining Village.
  • Google Map Link

KwaZulu-Natal Province

Algeria – Umhlali – NC rating: 4/10

Fairmont Zimbali Lodge + ?

  • Zimbali is a 370 hectare (925 acre) tropical coastal residential and resort estate located on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), 25 km north of Umhlanga Rocks and bordering on the south of the popular holiday destination of Ballito. Read more…
  • Google Map Link
Cameroon – Umhlanga – NC rating: 5/10

Oyster Box Hotel + ?

  • Recently refurbished, this luxurious 5-star hotel overlooks the Indian Ocean in Umhlanga Rocks, a resort town just minutes outside of Durban. The hotel has been included in the Condé Nast Traveler 2010 Hot List, and with 86 different types of luxurious rooms to choose from the hotel can accommodate the individual needs of every type of visitor.
  • Google Map Link

Greece – Umhlanga – NC rating: 6/10

Beverly Hills Hotel + ?

  • A 5-star deluxe hotel where all the rooms offer dramatic uninterrupted sea views and have been restyled in muted hues. Suites are indulged with the services of a personal butler. The hotel boasts a state of the art fitness centre as well as executive meetings rooms and boardrooms.
  • Google Map Link
Nigeria – Richards Bay – NC rating: 4/10

Protea Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay + uMhlathuze Sports Complex

  • The hotel is situated in the Tuzi Gazi Waterfront in Richards Bay and caters for the executive traveller who is looking for something extra ordinary. The hotel has a prime location, the only hotel overlooking the waterfront in Richards Bay.
  • The Nigerians will train at the newly built uMhlathuze Sports Complex grounds in Richards Bay.
  • Google Map Link

A late decision to change the location of their 2010 base resulted in NC downgrading Nigeria’s rating to 4/10.

Paraguay – Balogwan – NC rating: 6/10

Woodridge Country Hotel & Spa + Michaelhouse

  • Set in the heart of the Kwazulu Natal Midlands, Woodridge is a 4-star country-style retreat. The Estate offers gourmet cuisine and endless activities (golf, fly fishing, hiking, horse riding, etc.) Woodridge is not only a holiday or weekend destination. It also offers facilities for weddings and conferences – as well as corporate events.
  • The prestigious private school Michaelhouse will provide the visitors with good quality training facilities.
  • Google Map Link

Western Cape Province

Denmark – Knysna – NC rating: 4/10

Simola Hotel & Spa + ?

  • Here, in one of Africa’s most beautiful places, the Estate becomes a sumptuous complex combining health and beauty services with state-of-the-art exercise and fitness facilities.
    Walking, running, horse riding and cycling trails encourage physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
  • Google Map Link
France –Knysna – NC rating: 7/10

Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa + ?

  • A luxury resort, located on the Eastern Head of Knysna on the exquisite coastline of the Western Cape, is a sanctuary of privacy and indulgence created to reflect the natural beauty of its surrounds. Set on a 1,000 ha estate, known for its secluded beach, sweeping fynbos landscapes and ancient indigenous forests, the Pezula Resort has views of the Indian Ocean, the Knysna Lagoon and the Outeniqua Mountains.
  • Google Map Link
Japan – George – NC rating: 7/10

Fancourt Hotel & Country Club Estate + ?

  • Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you can relax and be pampered in truly beautiful surroundings, enjoying an exclusive range of therapies, treatments and leisure activities. Fancourt has three fabulous restaurants offering a variety of excellent dining experiences in authentic settings. Together with championship golf courses and sporting activities, this is a fantastic estate.
  • Google Map Link

Grateful thanks once again to Neal Collins for giving us permission to use his World Cup Team Training Base ratings.

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