Mbombela Stadium is the smallest of the five new stadiums that has been built for World Cup 2010, with a capacity of 43,500. It is also one of the two venues that will host only four group matches, with the other being Polokwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Construction on Mbombela Stadium began in February 2007, and though there is reportedly some work that remains undone on the stadium, it‘s set to get its official opening later this month.

While some of the other new venues are being built on the sites of former stadiums (or, in the case of Peter Mokaba Stadium, next to the old stadium), as the previous building on the Mbombela Stadium site was a school that was forced to relocate as a result of the decision to build the stadium in the area.

The stadium’s seating is divided into three tiers, with 21,000 seats in the lower tier, 3,500 in the middle tier, and 19,000 in the upper tier.

Perhaps the most defining feature of Mbombela Stadium is the 18 tension rods that resemble giraffe necks, which are the reason behind the stadium‘s nickname of the ‘Giraffe Stadium‘. Not only do they serve a purpose as roof supports, but they’re quite the fitting element given the stadium’s close proximity to the Kruger National Park, which is one of Africa’s largest game reserves.

See all 2010 World Cup Stadiums.