I was going to compare my World Cup soccer match to a religious experience. Flocking to the temple. The white-coated FIFA priests sanctifying the ritual ground. The ecstasy of crowd worship. But that’s taking it too far. It’s not spiritual, it’s sport. It’s fun. And if you’re lucky enough, it’s damn good entertainment.

We huddled in the freezing hail like a scene straight out of March of the Penguins. Shuffling through the security checks. I could almost hear a Morgan Freeman’s voice-over, “There is a mysterious ritual that dates back thousands of years.” My first experience in the new Green Point Stadium and my first international soccer match. Rushing up the pavilion to our seats. That vista of a 64,000 seater with Vuvuzela’s roaring. I remember that moment, how insanely proud I was of being a South African. The Fan Walk through the City, the efficiency of our new inner city buses. The humming city atmosphere. As if I had a hand in all these years of planning, building, stressing.

It managed to wangle some tickets last minute through a friend for the girlfriend and I. Typical Cape Town style. It was the Italy – Paraguay game. Here are a few snaps.