Following yet another disappointing conclusion at a cricket World Cup, the Proteas will now be setting their sights on the ODI World Cup next year, which will be co-hosted on home soil between South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
The Proteas crashed out of the T20 World Cup this week, after being “walloped” by New Zealand in the semifinal.
However, the 2027 ODI World Cup will give the Proteas another shot to try put an end to the hoodoo at home, and cricket fans are already resting their hopes on the shoulders of captain Temba Bavuma to put a complete end to the “chockers” tag that still hangs on like a dark cloud on South African cricket.
Bavuma has already helped lead South Africa to their first ICC trophy after decades. To be exact, 27 years later, when they clinched the World Test Championship last year at Lord’s.
The 35-year-old will once again get that opportunity to etch his name in the history books as the greatest captain to ever lead the Proteas.
Meanwhile, as far as the preparations for the showpiece are concerned, there have been reports of bickering at the local organising committee headed by former finance minister Trevor Manuel, over the delays in the appointment of the executive team. “Trevor Manuel has been beating my door down for that, so it is not Trevor’s fault,” said Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie.
“It is my fault as a government official, but I have since managed to take the matter to the cabinet, and the president (Cyril Ramaphosa) has given us the green light. So, in the next week, we will be announcing the IMC.”
In South Africa, the 2027 ODI World Cup will be held in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, East London, and Paarl.
Live Sports, TV Times:
Today
F1 Australian Grand Prix:
Race: 5:55am (SA time)
Nedbank Cup:
TS Galaxy v Jacksa Spears (3pm)
Golden Arrows v Durban City (6pm)
T20 World Cup Final:
India v New Zealand (3:30pm)
Tuesday:
Uefa Champions League
Galatasaray v Liverpool (7:30pm)
Newcastle v Barcelona (10pm)
Wednesday:
Leverkusen v Arsenal (7:30pm)
Real Madrid v Manchester City (10pm)
