Rustenburg is the ninth of the ten stadiums we will see matches at in our attempt to catch a game at every venue being used in this World Cup. I'd read horror stories about the organisation for fans getting away from the venue. It's where England drew with the USA in their opening encounter. The problem was confirmed by a local sitting next to me at the Brazil match last Sunday. I overheard him mention he'd seen a game at Rustenburg and asked him what time he thought we'd get back to Johannesburg after a 6pm finish. He said about 11.30. It took him an hour and a half to get out of the car park and the traffic on the road was slow moving as well. We travelled in trepidation, our hopes hardly lifted when the park and ride on the Jo'burg side of Rustenburg wasn't admitting any further cars and we were directed to a site on the other side of town. I posited the idea of just parking up near the car park to avoid the hassle of getting out of it, but Adam relayed the tale of having a car towed away in Cape Town for parking illegally and had no desire for a repeat. As it later turned out, many did park outside the car park, without anyone being towed.

As we caught the bus to the stadium, it was clear that the Mexican fans seemed to be in the majority by quite some distance. It gave hope that the team might feel duty bound to perform rather than just play out a draw that would suit both them and their opponents today, group leaders Uruguay. The simultaneous match in the group between South Africa and the shambolic French saw both teams needing a positive result in this game along with a convincing win in their own. The host nation were hoping for a miracle, and at one stage it actually looked on. That was at half time, when Uruguay were 1-0 up and the Bafana 2-0 ahead. If things stayed the way they were in Rustenburg, the French needed to win 4-0.

There was a prat in front of us who signalled the Bafana had taken a three goal lead during the second half. It looked on. However, what actually happened was that the French had pulled one back. Uruguay were certainly content with 1-0, given that even a draw would see them top the group, and Mexico tried to equalise, but surely got wind that it wasn't integral as the clock wound down. Not that they took defeat well, with a few fights breaking out at the final whistle, followed by the police intervening to arrest a few Mexicans, who were evidently the aggressors. They are a very vocal support, and Adam's least favourite fans. At the Soccer City game last Sunday, four Mexicans were in front of Martin and wife Sue and spent the whole game standing up, making a racket and not actually watching the game at all.

I was aware of the rumpus at full time because by that time, I was amidst the small bunch of Uruguayans in category 1 seats trying to sell two top price spares I had for the Port Elizabeth last 16 game - the winners of Group A v the runners up in Group B (one of South Korea, Greece or Nigeria). Given the far flung nature of the venue, it was going to be hard work selling my ticket at the stadium on the day, so I thought that this was my best chance. One guy would have taken them but didn't have the 2800 rand on him, so took my phone number. I wasn't optimistic he'd be in touch as tickets for this game will be plentiful. Oh well. It was the reason I had hoped for a Mexico win! There must have been 50 Mexicans for every Uruguayan fan in the stadium. Or at least it felt like it. It would have been much easier to find a buyer if Mexico were playing in Port Elizabeth.

Adam declared Rustenburg his least favourite of the stadiums we've seen games in. Port Elizabeth - the one we haven't done yet - looks pretty decent on the box, so I doubt that will change his opinion. I have to concur with him. One of three upgraded (as opposed to new) venues, the running track surrounding the pitch is what makes it a lesser place to watch a football match. Fortunately, our seats were in the second tier, so we had a decent enough view, but one suspects the real upgrading was to the main stand opposite us as there were no obvious signs of anything new where we were. The sun shone brightly and I had not anticpated how warm it would be. We spent the first half with it shining into our eyes, so most of the crowd used their hands to protect their vision. I had brought the woolly hat I'd bought at Ellis Park but not the pork pie one with a brim that I'd packed in my luggage. So I was in salute mode with everyone else.

There was one supporter near us with an Ireland shirt bearing Robbie Keane's name, a kilt, dreadlocked hair (he was white), a vuvuzela with Greece markings, a South African flag and face paint in Mexico's colours. So, six countries represented and three of them actually at the finals. Hmmm. There are a good number of fans here from countries that didn't qualify. I spotted some Poles, Swedes and Scots at this game for example. If Scotland waited until they qualified again, their supporters might never attend another finals in my lifetime.

There was a great buzz in the crowd during the opening 45 minutes when news of South Africa's actual (as opposed to ficticious) goals came through. It wasn't to be, but what the people of this country wanted at the very least was to go out with some pride, and it was felt that victory over the French provided that. Ultimately, they finished with the same number of points as Mexico, but were undone by goal difference. So no disgrace, unlike the French. The enthusiasm for the competition will still remain. The fact that South Africa are hosting means a lot to the people here, and that in turn, will see continued enthusiasm for the tournament, especially if most of the bigger names progress. Of course it would have been different had the Bafana made the last 16, even more intense, but their elimination does not mean the tournament is going to fall flat. Some of the football could have been better, but this has been a great World Cup. Those that have been here will confirm that.

Our getaway was much better than anticipated. We didn't hang around too long once I'd given up trying to flog my tickets to the small band of Uruguayans and were out of the car park without significant delay. The road was a little bit of a crawl, but nothing disastrous. We were back in Jo'burg by 9, a three hour journey. It would have been two and a half had we got in the first car park, but such is life. Certainly far better than we feared and we were able to catch the Nigeria v South Korea second half including the miss of the tournament from Nigeria and surely the farewell World Cup performance of Kanu.

Tomorrow is our last day of this relaxing stretch in Jo'burg, before we hit the road again. It's another trip to Soccer City to see Germany face Ghana. Then a day without a match as we drive back to Durban. This time next week, I will be attending my final match in Pretoria.