CAPE TOWN - President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday the World Cup had brought "priceless" benefits to South Africa as the Netherlands went through to the final after a thrilling semifinal encounter with Uruguay.

With Sunday's final now just days away, Zuma said the 33 billion rand ($4.2 billion) spent by the national treasury had led to lasting improvements in communications and transport.

But the social impact had been even greater, he said, as black and white fans packed into stadiums and fan parks together, 16 years after the first all-race elections ended white-minority rule.