Has the world cup inspired you to visit South Africa?

I must admit I never really fancied SA as a travel destination but since seeing the footage from there during the competition I think it's now somewhere I'd like to go, especially as they have some amazing active challenges to do. So has the World Cup shifted anyone else's minds?

Still not convinced it's the safest place to go. I think the only time I'd go was when I could afford to employ a bodyguard or at least someone who knew were was safe to go. 

Seems that South African are planning to bid for the 2020 Olympic Games. Don't reckon much to their chances. Far more infrastructure required than for the World Cup and they've got a long way to go.

I agree- not sure its the safest place to travel to- but would still love to go there.

I disagree about the safety aspect.  I went in April to Cape Town, and never once felt unsafe.  I even got a taxi at 4.30am, on my own to a half marathon half hour away from where I was staying.  I was a bit wary but it was totally fine.  I even managed to get a lift a couple of miles down the road afterwards with some fellow runners, who offered a lift!! Obviously not all areas are like that, but you dont go to the rough bits for fun do you ?

Granted the newspapers and TV out there can make for grim reading, but its never aimed at tourists or tourist area's.  Ive felt far more uneasy elsewhere.

I did ask 20 billion questions about safety before I went, and Im glad I did, it was worth it as its a brilliant place.

It must be the same for pretty much any country or major city; there are rough and near no-go areas in most cities. It always pays to do your reading and know where these places are in advance rather than being caught unawares. The media can produce a negative picture for just about anywhere these days and usually do when it suits.

I have been and the world cup made me want to go back. Seen some people commenting on the safety aspect. South Africa is definitely less safe than western coutries and can be dangerous. On the day we arrived there was a triple murder on the reserve we were supposed to work on. By escaped convicts, with Machetes. As with anywhere the key thing is to stay in a safe area with people who know it. It is not as though you will definitely mugged or worse if you go there, areas like Cape town as has been suggested are safer but things like foreign women walking alone or in all women groups are just not done. To illustrate my point look at the fact that most Johannesburg hotels use a driver service to collect food you order from outside the hotel. This is because of the number of armed nutters who have posed as delivery drivers to get past security.

Don't want to turn you off tho. It's a fantastic country. Just use common sense and don't go wondering drunk down the wrong street. Wouldn't do that in Rome, Paris or London either really!

I've always wanted to go despite the stories. The garden route or whatever it is sounds amazing

I have heard that the Garden Route is pretty awesome, I just can't see when I am going to get Africa in as a continent I've travelled to though.