England 57 Barbarians 26

The ruling ANC has demanded that a painting be removed from an exhibition because it seems to depict President Jacob Zuma with his genitals hanging out.

In a tribute to the 27 years former South African President Nelson Mandela spent in prison for his fight against apartheid, the comedian and actor Eddie Izzard is to run 27 marathons in 27 consecutive days.

A zoo keeper was killed when a lioness pounced on him after security gates at Johannesburg Zoo's conservation farm were apparently left open.

South Africa's government human rights agency is investigating whether the Zulu king made comments that could increase anti-homosexual sentiment in a country where gays face discrimination despite liberal laws being in place to protect them.

Albertina Sisulu was revered by South Africans as the true mother of the nation.

Toxic liquids building up in defunct gold mines beneath Johannesburg could reach environmentally dangerous levels by June 2012, officials and scientists said yesterday.

The Australia coach, Robbie Deans, has beefed up his pack in an effort to match the physicality of South Africa's set-piece in Saturday's Tri-Nations test in Bloemfontein following the 44-31 defeat in Pretoria last weekend.

Nelson Mandela made a rare public appearance yesterday to attend the funeral of his great-granddaughter, who died on the eve of the World Cup.

From Table Mountain to Soweto yesterday, the pulsating chants of traditional songs and the blasting of plastic horns sounded the start of the first World Cup to be held on African soil.

South Africa got its celebration in early yesterday as the national team paraded through Johannesburg in an open-top bus before a ball had been kicked at the continent's first World Cup.

South African tribal chiefs and healers have slaughtered a cow outside Soccer City, the biggest stadium at the World Cup, as part of rituals to appease the spirits of ancestors and welcome fans.

In anticipation of the World Cup, The Independent is running down the key people and factors to keep an eye out for in South Africa with our World Cup Watch series.