Its currency is the Rand and the administrative capital is Pretoria. Cape Town is the legislative capital while Bloemfontein the judicial capital.
South Africa is probably best known in sporting terms for the 1981 Springboks tour, which was the subject of many protests, but it has also been documented that rugby united the nation through the 1995 Rugby World Cup. South African President Nelson Mandela pulled on a Springboks jersey after their victory. Before that Rugby World Cup, black South Africans would cheer against the Springboks as they felt the team represented prejudice and apartheid.
The current president is Jacob Zuma, who was sworn in on May 9, 2009.
South Africa is a multilingual country with 11 official languages, of which English is one.
South Africa play in Pool D with Fiji, Namibia, Samoa, Wales. Their first game is against Wales in Wellington on September 11.
There will be two fan zones in Taupo during the world cup. One "party zone" on Tuwharetoa St, and a "family fan zone" at the Great Lake Centre, where there will be bands, open bars, and plenty for kids to do.
Flags are expected to go in homes and businesses and window displays celebrating the tournament will also be in abundance. Residents are also being encouraged to wear team jerseys to work.
Try this recipe to get a little taste of South Africa ahead of the Cup.
Cape Malay Bobotie
Traditional plain version of Bobotie. It makes a pleasingly spiced, slightly sweet dish, with a very light curry flavour.
Filling
450g beef, minced
2 eggs
2 slices white bread, stale with crusts removed
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp cooking oil
2 tbsp hot water
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp curry powder
tsp ground cloves
1 tsp garlic, crushed
1 tsp turmeric
tsp salt
Topping
1 egg, lightly beaten
cup milk
Bay leaves or lemon leaves for garnishing
Pre-heat the oven to 180C.
Soak the bread in water for 10 minutes, squeeze out the excess and then crumble.
In a large frying pan, heat the oil and braise the onion until golden. Break the two eggs into a large bowl and beat lightly. Mix in the mince Add the onion mixture from the frying pan, the hot water, lemon juice, crumbled bread, turmeric and sugar to the mince, mixing well.
Spoon the mixture into a well-greased, oven-proof dish and bake for 40 minutes, or until golden brown and then remove from the oven.
To make the topping, combine the other egg with the milk and beat well. Pour the mixture over the bobotie and arrange the bay/lemon leaves as garnish. Return to the oven and bake at 180C for 10 minutes, or until the topping is set.
Serve the bobotie with a large salad and yellow rice
