South Africa have reached five World Cup semi-finals and lost all five: 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015 and 2023. The one World Cup they hosted, in 2003, ended in the first round after a tie with Sri Lanka in Durban, decided by a misread Duckworth-Lewis target. In 2027 they get a second home World Cup.
This time they arrive with a trophy behind them. South Africa beat Australia at Lord's in 2025 to win the World Test Championship, their first ICC title since 1998. Here is the 50-over route at home, every fixture and every ground.
South Africa at a glance
- Group B: New Zealand, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, Qualifier B
- First match: Saturday 9 October v New Zealand at Newlands, Cape Town
- All five group games at home, in five different cities
- Super 7 slot: B2, if they qualify
- Best World Cup finish: semi-finals (five times)
Group stage: five games, five cities
The opener against New Zealand is a rematch of the 2015 semi-final in Auckland, one of the five. After Newlands, the Proteas tour their own country: Qualifier B in Paarl, England in Gqeberha, Bangladesh in Durban and Sri Lanka at the Wanderers on 22 October. Three of those five games are on the coast.
If South Africa reach the Super 7: the B2 path
The B2 path keeps moving. England at SuperSport Park on 27 October, India at the Wanderers on 31 October, Pakistan in Durban, Sri Lanka in Bloemfontein, Australia in Gqeberha and finally New Zealand at Newlands on 12 November. Across the group and Super 7, that is eleven possible games in seven different South African cities.
Semi-finals and the final
Both semi-finals are on home soil: Newlands on 17 November and SuperSport Park on 18 November, each with a reserve day. The final is at the Wanderers on 21 November. A semi-final win would be South Africa's first in a men's World Cup.
South Africa's venue guide
Newlands, Cape Town
The opener against New Zealand, the B2 finale against New Zealand again, and the first semi-final.
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Sri Lanka in the group, India in the Super 7, and the final. South Africa's biggest ground, with a capacity of over 30,000.
Durban and Gqeberha
One group game and one Super 7 game at each: Bangladesh and Pakistan in Durban, England and Australia in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).
Paarl, Tshwane and Bloemfontein
Qualifier B in the Western Cape winelands at Paarl, then England at SuperSport Park and Sri Lanka in Bloemfontein on the highveld.
Can South Africa finally win one?
The home advantage is real in one specific way: no other team plays all of its cricket in familiar conditions, from the coast to the highveld. The hurdle is the same as ever. Five semi-finals, five defeats, and a 2003 home tournament that ended early. The Test title in 2025 showed this generation can win the big one; the 2027 schedule gives them every chance to do it in front of their own crowds.
See South Africa's matches alongside every other fixture, filter by host country and add them to your phone calendar in one tap.
Open South Africa's schedulePlay the World Cup on CricketDream
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Frequently asked questions
When is South Africa's first match at the 2027 World Cup?
Saturday 9 October 2027 against New Zealand at Newlands in Cape Town.
Have South Africa ever won the Cricket World Cup?
No. Their best finish is the semi-finals, which they reached in 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015 and 2023, losing each time. They have never played in a men's World Cup final.
Where will South Africa play their 2027 World Cup matches?
All at home. Group games in Cape Town, Paarl, Gqeberha, Durban and Johannesburg; the B2 Super 7 path adds Tshwane and Bloemfontein and returns to Johannesburg, Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town.
When do South Africa play India at the 2027 World Cup?
Only in the Super 7, if both qualify: B2 plays A1 at the Wanderers on Sunday 31 October.