Western Cape Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, has welcomed an investment of more than R65 million from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) in support of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, strengthening preparations for the tournament and its long-term cricket legacy. The grant was handed over by the NLC to Cricket South Africa at YesPlay Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday, 7 October 2027.
The NLC’s investment builds on R15 million that the Western Cape Government invested in cricket infrastructure in April this year, with R7.5 million each allocated to Western Province Cricket Association and Cricket Boland, the home unions of the province’s two World Cup venues, Newlands and Boland Park in Paarl.
“When we invested R15 million earlier this year, we were investing in what remains after the tournament is over. Together, we are building infrastructure that will welcome the world in 2027 while creating opportunities for our young people and communities for years to come. The World Cup will last seven weeks, but its legacy must last a generation. We thank Commissioner Jodi Scholtz and the NLC for their generosity, and Cricket South Africa and Western Province Cricket Association for their stewardship of the game,” said Minister Mackenzie.
The NLC funding will support stadium infrastructure upgrades in six World Cup host provinces, as well as cricket development and legacy projects in all nine provinces, reaching young people, community club cricket, coaches, and Cricket South Africa’s network of 70 hubs.
Cricket South Africa Chief Financial Officer, Tjaart van der Walt, said the investment would support preparations for the tournament and beyond 2027.
“These upgrades will help us deliver a world-class Cricket World Cup in 2027, and they will serve our players, provinces and supporters long after the last over,” said Van der Walt.
The World Cup takes place from 2 October to 21 November 2027 and is co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Newlands will host the tournament’s opening game and the first semi-final.
Minister Mackenzie reflected on his own World Cup experience, when he travelled by train to Newlands as a young boy to watch the Springboks play Romania at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
“It opened my eyes to a world far bigger than the one I knew, and it shaped my belief that people need access to opportunity to succeed. I am not here because I am better than anyone. I had access to opportunity, and I want more young people to discover and fall in love with this game, long after the final ball has been bowled,” said Minister Mackenzie.
The department is also exploring how the province’s 373 public libraries can become access points for young people to read and learn about cricket.
The handover formed part of the NLC’s working visit to the Western Cape from 5 to 8 October, hosted by Minister Mackenzie and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. The visit focused on identifying opportunities to strengthen investment and collective impact in sport, arts and culture across the Western Cape.
Media Enquiries:
Simone Carter
Media Liaison Officer
Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 066 289 9174
Email: Simone.Carter@westerncape.gov.za
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