The University has teamed up with the local council to strike a deal with the country’s Olympic Committee which it is hoped will see relationships extend beyond the Games.

South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) President Gideon Sam said: “This was a very exciting adventure for us to identify the training facilities and we hope that our federations are as excited as us about the choice.

“This training camp will allow us to bring our managers and support structure along and this will also assist and facilitate the gelling together of the team. They need to get to know each other well before the Games.

“The last thing we want is for them to get to London and then meet each other for the first time. This way we will be able to build the trust and naturally the spirit of the team as early as possible.

“And lastly, while we are in Wales and making use of their excellent facilities, we are looking forward to tapping into their own sporting expertise; from their universities for example and hopefully form working relationships for the future.”

Cardiff University’s Head of Sport and Exercise, Stuart Vanstone is delighted to be welcoming South Africa to South Wales and hopes their presence can be a huge advantage to staff and students. He said: “We’re hoping for some real legacy benefits from the Pre-Games Training Camp.

“We hope there will be some engagement between athletes and students whilst they’re on campus. This might come in the form of questions and answers sessions and the delivery of some give it a go sessions. There may also be some student exchange trips at a later date.”

The deal is great coup for Cardiff as the South African team is likely to include many high-profile Paralympians including Oscar Pistorius, the world-record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres, and swimmer Natalie De Toit, who last year became the first amputee to qualify for the Olympic Games since 1928.