Deadspin: South Africa

South Africa To Miss Out On Africa Cup Of Nations After Deliberately Playing To Boring 0-0 Draw

Emma Carmichael — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:40:00 EDT

The South African national soccer team intentionally played to a 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone this past Saturday, and then danced across the field in celebration of having qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. The problem: Bafana Bafana, as the team is known, had not qualified for the 2012 Cup. Bafana Bafana, in fact, had narrowly missed out on the Cup because they'd only played for a tie. More »

Unlucky Biker Gets Jacked Up By An Antelope

Barry Petchesky — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:55:57 EDT

Evan van der Spuy was expecting a quiet little race through a South African game reserve over the weekend. He'd get some exercise, maybe win some prize money, maybe even see some animals! More »

South African Government Prankster Thanks "Dickhead" Blatter

Barry Petchesky — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EDT

On the President of South Africa's official website, there's an item honoring Sepp Bellend Blatter for bringing the World Cup. Problem is, "Bellend" isn't his middle name. "Bellend" is British slang for the knob of the penis. [thepresidency.gov.za] More »

England Players Robbed Of More Than Just Goals And Dignity

Dashiell Bennett — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:30:38 EDT

As if enough shame and scorn has not been heaped on the English side today, word comes out of South Africa that they were also robbed during their too-brief visit. Fortunately, justice there is swift and exacting. Unlike Wayne Rooney. More »

South African Man Killed For Turning On The World Cup

Barry Petchesky — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:10:00 EDT

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He was beaten to death by his wife and children after he dared change the channel from their gospel program. Considering the match he wanted to watch was Germany/Australia, I have to say, it probably wasn't worth it for him. [AP] More »

World Cup Open Thread: South Africa-Uruguay

David Matthews — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EDT

So, these two both played to draws in their respective first games. Uruguay shamed France, but "Bafana Bafana" is really fun to write, so let's root for them. More »

In Defense Of The Vuvuzela

Dashiell Bennett — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:30:53 EDT

The backlash to the backlash has begun and I have to say that I'm glad. If you think the vuvuzela is an evil torture device that should be banned from all sport, then you can blow it out your ass. More »

Your Culturally Insensitive World Cup Goal Roundup Of The Day (Video)

David Matthews — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:30:00 EDT

Two games today, two goals. Both of them in the first game. Bafana Bafana's Siphiwe Tshabalala knocked in a real beaut at the 55-minute mark, but Mexico's Rafael Marquez nailed the equalizer in the 79th. See, ties are fun. More »

World Cup Open Thread: Mexico-South Africa

David Matthews — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:50:00 EDT

South Africa kicks off its 2010 World Cup hosting duties against Mexico. Use this post for an open thread or head over to Guanabee for its liveblog. More »

World Cup Email Scam Promises The Most Awesome Party Ever

Barry Petchesky — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:50:50 EDT

A forwarded email promises a South Africa private beach party with champagne and lobster, lions and elephants, and a DJ spinning house tunes who also carries a gun in case the wild beasts get out of hand. Holy shit, please be real. More »

Just In Case Group Play Gets A Little Stabby

Barry Petchesky — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:15:00 EST

South Africa is going to do everything in its power to make the World Cup safe for visitors. But it never pays to take chances, and now you can buy stab-proof body armor emblazoned with your country's flag. More »

2010 Fifa World Cup Draw

A.J. Daulerio — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:00:20 EST

For those who want to see foreign people fill-in brackets on a board, go to these fine places for live-blog updates. More »

Legless Runner Declares War On Bipeds

Dashiell Bennett — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:10:15 EDT

Track and field nerds may remember the name of Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee who fought to get into the Olympic Games (and then didn't qualify.) Apparently, he has turned his aggression on people who still have their legs. More »

The Tiny Plastic Horn That Will Ruin The World Cup

Dashiell Bennett — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:30:47 EDT

If you've watched the Confederations Cup, you have no doubt been annoyed by the mysterious buzzing sound that drowns out even the TV announcers. Well, get used to it, because that sound will haunt you throughout next year's World Cup. More »