Rustenburg will be an important centre during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, situated as it is near the tourist Meccas of Sun City and the Pilansberg, where some of the country's best game parks are to be found.

And the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, home to Platinum Stars, will be the venue for six matches during the competition, five in the group stages and one in the second round as the knockout format gets underway.

Situated in the North West Province, Rustenburg is in the heart of the savannah bushveld at the foot of the Magaliesburg Mountains. The popular Hartebeesport Dam is just 40 minutes drive from the city, one of many wonderful natural phenomena in the area.

With a population of around 400 000, Rustenburg is said to be the fastest growing city in South Africa, while it is home to the two largest platinum mines in the world and the world's largest platinum refinery, Precious Metal Refiners, which processes
around 70% of the world's platinum.

The area belongs to the Bafokeng people, who have spent hundreds of years on its great plains. Bafokeng means 'people of the dew' and they originate from the Bakwena people, with the 36th reigning monarch, King Leruo Molotlegi, currently presiding over his people.

Professional football has been scarce in the area, with just Garankuwa United, formerly of the First Division, playing in Mabopane.

But of late there has been an upsurge in activity as the likes of Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows, Orlando Pirates, Jomo Cosmos and, of course, Platinum Stars, using either the Olympia Park Stadium or Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace as alternate grounds.

Bafana Bafana have also used both venues in the past, playing the likes of Burkina Faso, Mauritius, Cameroon and Norway in the city.

2010 World Cup Fixtures in Rustenburg:
Saturday, June 12: C1 vs C2
Tuesday, June 15: F3 vs F4
Saturday, June 19: D4 vs D2
Tuesday, June 22: A2 vs A3
Thursday, June 24: E2 vs E3
Saturday, June 26: 1C vs 2D