The World Cup is at the semi final stage with Holland having won through against Uruguay last night and Germany facing Spain tonight.  For two Wolves fans their trip to South Africa also ends today as Jon Healey - now living in New Zealand, and Radaam Thirlway, in Leeds, fly home.  But they've enjoyed an excellent trip despite England's departure as soon as they got out there.  As well as the football, they have also contributed to the Balls To Poverty charity initiative coaching young South Africans in the townships.  Click here for details.  Here is Jon and Radaam's look back at a memorable trip.

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First off came the last 16 game between USA and Ghana - where it was great to be a neutral.

 

Unfortunately for the US it was time for a mass evacuation after their defeat, and for us a long old drive to Bloemfontein the next day for England against Germany.

 

 

And there's obviously not a lot that can be said about that really.

 

We were just not up to it, all across the park.

 

You can't give a decent team a two-goal headstart and hope to get away with it.

 

If we weren't good enough to comfortably top our group then we were always going to struggle when we played a big team and so it proved.

 

I could see from the other end of the ground that Lampard's goal was good.

 

But it was a woeful decision. And I don't think we were good enough to win the game.

 

We were all able to enjoy the footie as neutrals from then on.

 

And since the England v Germany game we've been to Spain v Portugal, Netherlands v Brazil and Germany v Argentina.

 

 

It finished off with the Dutch against Uruguay last night before flying home today.

 

Germany have obviously been seriously impressive, but will have their work cut out to beat Spain if the Spaniards bring their 'A' game.

 

The games have been fantastic - good logistics for getting in and out, a great atmosphere, no shortage of goals and not even a sniff of any trouble.

 

We've done several visits to townships including Langa, Guguletu, Khayaleitsha and Delft.

 

That has included delivering footballs to the kids, carrying out coaching sessions and being shown around some of the locals' homes.

 

The townships basically consist of tens of thousands of shacks built on dirt and constructed out of whatever planks of wood and pieces of corrugated iron the people can obtain.

 

 

We visited one home which was about 12 feet by 8 feet and housed a family of five, all of whom slept in the same bed. There was no electricity and there were leaks whenever it rains.

 

The shacks are crammed in to whatever space there is so it is like a rabbit warren.

 

There are businesses run out of old shipping containers like barbers shops, food shops, phone shops etc.

 

Wherever there is an empty patch of dirt you see kids kicking footballs around with bricks for goalposts.

 

Having met a few of the locals you don't get the sense that they are too resentful of their circumstances - most seem to have a very positive outlook on things and the kids go mad as soon as there is a football to kick around.

 

 

The townships are vibrant places notwithstanding the obvious quality of facilities and general life there.

 

We haven't witnessed any crime problems ourselves but we've been told that the drug crystal meth (called 'Tik' here) causes immense problems.

 

At a project in Khayaleitsha township the other day we met up with former professional players Chris Powell and Bobby Barnes who are here with the PFA and Fifpro, who are endorsing the Balls To Poverty programme.

 

We took a tour round Robben Island as well, the island off Cape Town where Mandela was imprisoned, which was very interesting.

 

Unfortunately we didn't quite make it onto the shark diving expedition. 

 

Twice it was cancelled due to rough seas and when we got up at 6 o'clock to have a go the other morning it was cancelled yet again!

 

 

Still, it's been a top trip notwithstanding England's early departure.

 

The Germans must be confident now but it's still all to play for!