South African media yesterday said the country has to build on the success and unity inspired by the World Cup to tackle pressing social challenges.

"We've done it!" blared The Times front page, adding "now the lessons of hosting the Cup must be applied to service delivery".

"The tournament could not have come at a better time. Just a few months ago ... our very existence as a united and non-racial nation was being questioned," its editorial said.

"But with the World Cup came the outpouring of South African patriotism in ways we have never seen before." The same energy is needed to tackle enormous challenges like crime and unemployment. "This is a spirit we should not lose now that the tournament has ended."

Business Day said the benefits of uniting the country needed to be weighed against pressing social needs.

"FIFA World Cup 2010 has opened the eyes of the world to what we have to offer, while simultaneously reminding South Africans what is possible. It is a sublime combination, rich with opportunities we dare not waste."

The Cape Times hit out at local "vocal whingers" who doubted a successful tournament would be pulled off.

The event also showed most South Africans were not "the race-obsessed types" on some newspaper letter pages or radio talk shows, it said.

"We can and mostly do get along just fine, actually," it said.

Thanking those involved down to pitch workers and road sweepers, the newspaper editorial also looked ahead.

"Dare we now dream that that their effort and example can inspire other arenas of endeavour? That would be a benefit beyond measure."

"We thank you, SA" said The Sowetan newspaper front page.

"The organisers did their work superbly and the whole country entered into the spirit of the game with a frenzy we have not experienced since we became a true democracy," said the newspaper's editorial.

"South Africa has also learnt valuable lessons about the sheer joy that unity of purpose can give."