Proteas drawn with England and New Zealand for 2027 World Cup

South Africa will face New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and one qualifier in the group stage of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The Proteas were drawn into Group B at a ceremony in Cape Town on Thursday, avoiding both India and defending champions Australia in the opening phase.

South Africa will begin its campaign against New Zealand at Newlands on 9 October 2027 before playing the group qualifier at Boland Park in Paarl four days later.

England will be the Proteas’ third opponent, with that match scheduled for St George’s Park in Gqeberha on 16 October. Bangladesh follows at Kingsmead in Durban on 19 October, before South Africa completes its group fixtures against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on 22 October.

Group A comprises India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and one qualifier. The tournament will begin in Cape Town on 7 October with India facing Australia in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, according to World Today News.

The 14-team tournament will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The two remaining places will be decided through qualifying competitions.

According to bdnews24, one place will go to the winner of the qualifying tournament, while the other will be determined through a new Super Series involving the lowest-ranked teams.

The top three teams in each group, together with the best fourth-placed team across the two groups, will progress to the Super Seven league stage.

The four highest-ranked teams in that stage will qualify for the semifinals, scheduled for 17 and 18 November 2027. The final will be played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on 21 November.

Sources: IOL, bdnews24, The Citizen, The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, World Today News.