To Transvaal, where things are different

Here's Tony Hicks, AP's International Sports Photo Editor, who taught me everything I know about taking pictures, including capturing the subject with their eyes shut!!! Pretoria in the background.

To Pretoria, just 40 miles from Johannesburg but a world apart in feel. With a hot Sydney-style sun beating down, the seat of South Africa's government has a homely and distinguished feel to it, wide wide and leafy avenues.

We were taking a peek at Loftus Versfeld stadium, where Italy will meet Brazil next summer. Frankly the stadium is run down and rather tired looking. But for rugby, it's the home of the Northern Transvaal, now known as the Blues (Blous), and there's plenty of atmopshere during matches.