R65.6 million allocated to upgrade South African cricket venues ahead of 2027 World Cup

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has received R65,645,092.30 from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) to upgrade stadium infrastructure and purchase ground equipment ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The funding was formally handed over at Newlands Cricket Ground and will be distributed across nine venues in six South African provinces. The eight South African venues selected to host World Cup matches are: Newlands, Boland Park, St George’s Park, Buffalo Park, Mangaung Oval, Kingsmead, SuperSport Park and the Wanderers Stadium, alongside JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

The upgrades cover more than the appearance of the stadiums. Newlands is set to receive a secondary scoreboard, an ICC command centre, upgraded seating, refurbished players’ change rooms, a new sound and evacuation system and a new net structure. Buffalo Park will receive a new media centre and broadcasting facility, while Boland Park will develop new facilities for players and match officials, as well as hospitality infrastructure. Across all nine venues, the grant will also fund specialised mowers, tractors and pitch rollers.

For CSA, the investment is being positioned as both a World Cup preparation project and a longer-term infrastructure investment. CSA Chief Financial Officer Tjaart van der Walt said the funding had been allocated against specific venue requirements and that the organisation would report on its use and impact. NLC Commissioner Jodi Scholtz said the investment comes as South Africa prepares to host another global cricket tournament on the continent, with the expectation that improved facilities can also support the development of future cricket talent.

The 2027 tournament will return the Cricket World Cup to Africa for the first time since 2003. For South African cricket, however, the significance of this R65.6 million investment extends beyond the tournament itself as these are facilities that players, broadcasters, supporters and the provincial game will continue to use after the World Cup has left.