Luxury awaits England players in South Africa

Pa
Wednesday 24 February 2010 07:35 EST
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The Bafokeng Sports Campus in Rustenburg was today confirmed by FIFA as England's training camp for the World Cup in South Africa later this year.

Click here or click the image for a behind the scenes look at England's World Cup hotel.

Here, we take a look at what will be on offer to the team.

ROOMS

The five-star Royal Marang Hotel within the Campus will feature 82 rooms, 76 of which are classed as 'standard', with four presidential suites and two Kings' suites. It will be interesting to see the pecking order when it comes to the question of who gets the keys to the Kings' suites - but who is going to argue with Fabio Capello?

Peter Crouch will be pleased to learn that all the rooms boast king-size extra length beds.

SPORTS FACILITIES

The standard of the training pitches has been the main cause of concern for Capello but he has been given assurances that they will be finished to a high standard in time for England's arrival in June. The hotel will contain gym facilities including treadmills, exercise bikes and free weights while there is a high-performance gym and medical centre in the complex which should cater for all the players' fitness requirements. The team will not have far to travel for their opening game either - the Royal Bafokeng Stadium is nearby, and could also be the venue for England's last 16 match.

WAYS TO RELAX

The players and Football Association staff will be able to avail themselves of the spa and sauna facilities, and those who take a pride in their appearance can go for skin and beauty treatments.

There are 'two designer eateries', with the option of bringing your own chef. After dinner there are two bars to choose from, though early nights will surely be the order of the day.

There is no mention of pool tables or dart boards, two staples of footballer entertainment, but Rustenburg Golf Club is nearby - and has got two snooker tables to boot.

Nature lovers could get a glimpse of lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalo at the nearby Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The Rustenburg Nature Reserve offers England players the opportunity to mingle with birds.

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