England and US fans enjoy the Rustenburg experience (News Feature)

By Barry Whelan Jun 12, 2010, 16:57 GMT

Rustenburg, South Africa - If England fans were being outnumbered by US supporters at the World Cup it did not look that way at the p.H. Network Cafe where the barbecue was in the hands of St George.

As one of the few watering holes outside the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, it was doing a roaring trade hours before the Group C encounter. The red-cross flag of St George was draped over many a customer, and beating the Stars and Stripes by about 3-1.

US supporters Dan Keller and Chris Debarros were, however, far from dismayed at hearing so much of the queen's English - or something akin to it. Fans from both nations happily drank beer together and grilled raw meat bought at the bar.

Is this a football match or the Rustenburg grill party?

'There are supposed to be more US fans here but it doesn't look like it,' said LA Galaxy fan Keller who flew to Johannesburg via New York and Dubai.

He and friend Chris are backpacking to all the US games and have tickets to all Brazil's matches as well.

'We will be here for the whole tournament. We've been planning this for two years and it's been a great experience,' he said.

'There have been no problems. Everyone has been very friendly, so far - but the game hasn't started yet.'

US national team officials say some 8,000 American fans were expected at the game while just 6,000 tickets had been sold to fans from England.

The supporters will be segregated but the early signs are that security forces should have a quiet night. There are few amenities outside the stadium, which is located in the heart of the savannah bushveld, and access is strictly controlled.

Twelve British police officers are also on duty in Rustenburg, six of them in uniform, to liaise with South African police.

The stadium itself was built with money invested by the Bafokeng tribe when lucrative platinum deposits were mined in the area, and is unlike anything known to Premier League fans. Only the main grandstand is covered and there is a running track around the field of play.

Rustenburg also means 'town of rest' in Afrikaans, and Lusanda Mpayipeli, on the gate at the p.H. Network Cafe, was definitely having a relaxed time hours before the game.

'Excuse me you cannot bring your own drinks in,' he occasionally has to tell supporters carrying their own beer. Nobody seems to protest or mind.

'Everyone is very happy. There have been no problems at all,' he said.

Clad out in their red St George costumes of their patron saint, a trio of England fans in Rustenburg have meanwhile been drawing plenty of media attention.

Like many supporters, Stan Stanfield, Dex Marshall and Miles Rudham are travelling across the country with England. Trips to Cape Town and Port Elizabeth follow in the group stage.

'I haven't missed an away game for eight years,' said Stanfield from Luton, who is attending his fourth World Cup.

He has booked his stay until the final - fully convinced England will get that far - at a cost of '7,000 or 8,000 pounds.'

Stanfield is a little bit envious though of his American counterparts who follow the team during World Cup qualifiers.

'You get games against the Bahamas and Barbados, and who do we get to visit? - Azerbaijain, Belarus,' he says, the expletes deleted.

Still, the Rustenburg experience will be a new one.