On a chilly, wintry morning in Johannesburg most young ladies would be snuggled up in bed. Not so for 800 school girls from Jeppe Girls High School, east of Johannesburg. They ditched the blankets and turned out in full football gear to compete in the school's version of the World Cup.

move it! Supporters of South African football team Bafana Bafana do the Diski dance. PIC/AFP

Students from different classes formed six-a-side teams to play 12-minute clashes as an entire 64-match tournament played out from 9am. Some spectacular shock upsets were produced: Brazil failed to advance past the first round, New Zealand beat Spain 18-nil and Nigeria played in the semi-final. In a scenario we are not likely to see at the actual tournament, Honduras beat Uruguay 3-1 in a penalty shootout in the final.

The school planned a record-breaking rendition of the Diski dance to end the day. The dance is a series of soccer moves, such as heading and chesting a ball, and is being marketed as a rhythmic way to get people interested in the World Cup.

An increasing number of South Africans are learning the steps, including national cricket captain Graeme Smith, who shows off his skills in a television advert.

The dance is just one of the ways South Africans are expressing their enthusiasm for the World Cup.

Another is the explosion of colour that has splashed itself across myriad office buildings, restaurants and shopping malls. The flags of all 32 participating nations have been draped over and hang from just about anywhere.

Many people have the South African flag attached to their cars with a thin stick. Roadside hawkers have cashed in on the booming flag trade by selling with side mirror covers for vehicles their best selling product.

The flags of other countries have become a much-desired product as well and mirror covers, scarves and woolen hats can all be found for sale at just about any major intersection.

While South Africans are rallying behind their national team, who are the second lowest ranked of the 32 countries at the World Cup, the immigrant communities have added diversity to the local support base.

The writer is based in Johannesburg