Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said the Proteas will win the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. He said he is already arranging a braai to celebrate the win.
McKenzie spoke at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town. The event marked the official one-year countdown to the tournament and the launch of the fixtures, IOL Sport reported.
“Let me tell you, I can tell you without a doubt, with Shuks, you know, he’s from Lavender Hill. He buys honey. We’re going to bring the World Cup home,” McKenzie said.
He was speaking about Proteas coach Shukri Conrad. McKenzie said the same hunger can be seen in captain Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock and the rest of the squad.
“These boys are hungry. These boys are ready. These boys have learned from past mistakes. They are super, super focused,” he said.
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will host the tournament together. There will be 57 matches at 12 venues from 2 October to 21 November 2027.
It will be the first time in 24 years that the World Cup is played in southern Africa. The last time was in 2003, when South Africa were knocked out in the first round.
The Proteas have never gone past the semi-finals. They first played at the World Cup in 1992 in Australia and New Zealand.
McKenzie also said the three host countries would put on a tournament like no other. He said South Africa has experience in hosting big international events.
“You speak about the biggest World Cup, which is the Football World Cup, and they still tell you that there’s never been a World Cup like South Africa’s,” he said.
He said the people who helped run that event are still around and their skills are still available. He called the cricket event “the World Cup of the drum”.
“It’s going to be more than just cricket. It’s going to involve our artists, our creatives, the Namibian creatives, the creatives in Zimbabwe,” McKenzie said.
He compared it to rugby. “The rugby is not happening on home soil. This is happening on home soil,” he said.
The opening weekend will feature defending champions Australia against 2023 finalists India. That match is set for 7 October at Newlands.
The Proteas will play their first game at the same venue a few days later. They will face New Zealand’s Black Caps.
The final will be played at the Wanderers on 21 November 2027.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.