They will co-host the 14th edition of the tournament with Zimbabwe and Namibia next year
Kagiso Rabada is relishing the chance to lead South Africa’s charge at their home World Cup in 2027. Photo: AFP/FILE
South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada says playing the 2027 Cricket World Cup on home soil will give the Proteas a sense of freedom rather than create additional pressure as they chase their first men’s 50-over World Cup title.
South Africa will co-host the 14th edition of the tournament with Zimbabwe and Namibia next year, with Rabada relishing the opportunity to represent his country in front of home supporters.
The Proteas will enter the tournament with confidence after a period of strong performances across formats, highlighted by their victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in 2025.
Those results have raised expectations around South Africa, but Rabada does not believe that will weigh on the team when the World Cup begins.
“Well, I think there’s a lot more to it at the moment with us hosting it,” Rabada told the ICC at the official Cricket World Cup 2027 venue and brand announcement event in Johannesburg recently.
“It’s almost like freedom as well. I don’t feel the pressure of us playing at home and feeling the need to win it.
“It’s almost like, we’re at home and we’re going to defend this fortress. And that’s what it means to me. It’s about representing the badge.”
Rabada has represented South Africa at the 2019 and 2023 editions of the 50-over World Cup, but one of his most enduring memories of the tournament comes from the 1992 final, played before he was born.
The fast bowler singled out Pakistan great Wasim Akram’s match-winning performance against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as a moment that continues to inspire him.
Akram played a decisive role in Pakistan’s 22-run victory, taking three wickets as Imran Khan’s side secured their maiden World Cup title.
For Rabada, Akram’s combination of pace, skill and intensity made the performance particularly memorable.
“One World Cup moment from the past that I’ll never forget, because I’m a bowler, I’m going to go to the bowlers’ club was Wasim Akram against England in the final,” Rabada said.
“Him just cleaning up (the stumps) and putting on a show to take it home for his country and showing the passion and the skill.
“He was fast, had so much skill, and just had this presence, this heightened energy about him that he was there to play.”
Rabada hopes South Africa can produce a similarly decisive performance when the tournament arrives on home soil in 2027.
The Proteas have come close to major tournament success in recent years but have yet to win the men’s 50-over World Cup. Their best World Cup finishes have been semi-final appearances, including in 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2015.
South Africa’s recent Test success, however, has strengthened their belief that they can handle the pressure of major finals.
The Proteas defeated Australia by five wickets at Lord’s in June 2025 to claim their first World Test Championship title, with Aiden Markram scoring an unbeaten century in the successful chase.
Rabada believes that experience can provide valuable confidence ahead of the World Cup.
“We’ve shown that we can go and play in finals and in the semi-finals,” he said.
“It’s just about that last step. So the confidence is there. The belief is most definitely there, just about going that one extra step.”
With South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia set to share hosting duties, Rabada sees the 2027 tournament as an opportunity for the Proteas to turn years of near misses into a breakthrough on the biggest stage.
For the South African quick, the challenge is not about carrying the burden of expectation but embracing the responsibility of defending home conditions.
“It’s about representing the badge,” Rabada said.
