Durban Metro has hosted a high-level meeting with cities from three Southern African neighbours to prepare for co-hosting the 2027 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup, marking fifteen months until the event. South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia are set to co-host the tournament, which will kick off in October 2027. The meeting, led by Local Organizing Committee CEO Qondisa Ngwenya, focused on strengthening coordination among the co-hosts and accelerating preparations for the event.
Durban is one of seven cities in South Africa where some of the games will be played. Mayor Cyril Xaba says the city is ready to welcome visitors for the tournament. “We stand ready to receive thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people on our shores. We have demonstrated ourselves as a city that’s been able to receive visitors, both domestic and international visitors. This has been demonstrated by the numbers that have been recorded. There’s a surge in tourism numbers. We’ll ensure that when people are in the city they feel safe as well,” says Xaba.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is a major sporting event that determines which men’s national cricket team is most deserving of the sport’s premier title. It also attracts large crowds of spectators from around the world, many of whom are tourists. Revenue generated by ICC events can amount to millions, with the private sector reaping the greatest benefits. The fact that three Southern African nations are committed to hosting the tournament highlights the scale of the event. South Africa has the potential not only to serve as a major tourism hub but also to establish itself as a centre for developing top athletes if it focuses on excelling in events such as these.
Meanwhile, the South African Women’s Cricket Team is set to face defeat by the Women in Blue (India).
Having finally ended their losing streak, India women will look to end the series on a high, as they take on South Africa women in the fifth and final T20I of the series on Monday, April 27, at Willowmoore Park, Benoni. After losing the first three matches of the series, India made a brilliant comeback in the fourth game, beating South Africa by 14 runs. Deepti Sharma’s all-round show helped the Women in Blue salvage some pride and save themselves from a whitewash. On the other hand, South Africa will look to test their bench strength with the upcoming game, being their last T20I before the T20 World Cup in England in June.
The Proteas Women’s team continues to showcase some of the finest talent in South African cricket. The women of South African cricket are formidable players in their own right. While India has produced some of the toughest cricketers the world has seen, South Africa’s Proteas – both men’s and women’s teams – possess a unique edge of their own, one that is tested by their opponents on the field. Although South Africa recently lost by 14 runs, the team is determined to return stronger. At the professional level, cricket on the world stage is an intense test of experience and talent. Ultimately, it will come down to whether the Proteas can rise above defeat and whether the men’s team can deliver at the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
