The largest city in the KwaZulu-Natal province, Durban is known for its beaches, world class surfing and large Indian community.
Sport in Durban
Rugby Union, Cricket and Football are among the most popular sports to watch in Durban:
- The Sharks rugby union team are based in the city and play in the Super Rugby competition as well as the domestic Currie Cup. They play their matches at the Kings Park Stadium, which hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup semi-final in which South Africa defeated France 19-15.
- Also in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct is the impressive Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and host of the semi-final in which Spain defeated Germany 1-0.
- There are two football clubs in the city who compete in the Premier Soccer League – AmaZulu who play at the King Zwelithini Stadium and Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C. who play at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium. Both teams do occasionally play at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
- The KwaZulu-Natal cricket team, known as the Dolphins compete in South Africa’s domestic cricket competitions and play at Kingsmead Cricket Ground. The ground hosted matches, including semi-finals at both the 2003 Cricket World Cup and 2007 World Twenty20.
- The Greyville Racecourse is a horse racing venue which hosts two of South Africa’s most premier races – the Durban July Handicap and the Greyville Gold Cup.
- A temporary street circuit in the city held the now defunct A1GP between 2006 and 2008.
- Durban was initially chosen to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games but had to withdraw in March 2017 due to financial constraints and was replaced by Birmingham.
Getting to Durban
Air – The King Shaka International Airport is the primary airport for Durban, located approximately 35 kilometers to the north of the city. The airport was opened in 2010 ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and now has links to London, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul and domestic destinations in South Africa.
Thinking of flying to Durban? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner here.
Bus – The city’s bus station is located near the railway station with the well known companies of City to City, Greyhound, Intercape and Translux all offering intercity travel from there.
Train – Durban railway station offers commuter Metrorail services across Durban, with long distance Shosholoza Meyl services running daily to Johannesburg and weekly to Cape Town.
Where to stay in Durban
Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Durban by clicking here.
Food & Drink in Durban
What to do in Durban
- Head to the beach – Durban is famed for its beaches with the Golden Mile being particularly attractive, stretching 4 miles from Blue Lagoon South to Addington Beach and Durban Harbor.
- The uShaka Marine World is a vast complex that includes an aquarium and a water park, being Durban’s most popular tourist attraction.
- The Durban Botanical Gardens has an array of living fossil plants, extending back 250 million years.
- The Moses Mabhida Stadium isn’t just an impressive stadium, it offers the tallest swing in the world 262 feet above the ground. You can also climb the arch or ride the SkyCar to the top.
Last Updated on February 24, 2021 by Sports Tourist