The 2010 FIFA World Cup has been the biggest South African news story so far this year. The tournament dominated media coverage over several months, both in the build-up to and during the actual event. Newspapers sat between a rock and a hard place during the world cup, as television ruled with its live broadcasts and online was first with live commentary, opinion and blow-by blow recounts.

In this country, online news doesn’t do a lot of investigative journalism – it’s the obvious niche if you are a newspaper man defending your circulation from online’s straight-up reporting and opinion. National weekly Mail & Guardian took this approach, one that editor Nic Dawes describes as dancing SA’s complicated rhythm and which combined vigorous investigation with some flag-waving, nation-building and partying. Others, such as KwaZulu-Natal’s The Mercury, grabbed the opportunity to think outside the box and re-engage with visual journalism.

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