Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) acting President Rihan Richards on Friday (April 30) announced that South Africa will bid to host the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup in the country.

The South African cricket board has been facing a tough time for a long time, but now the Sports Government has solved the problems by formulating a new board with majority of independent directors, which would enable CSA to put the focus firmly back on cricket matters.

Following the formation of a new governance model for CSA, Richards has made it clear that South Africa will take part in a bidding process for the International Cricket Council (ICC) events over a new eight-year cycle with the bidding expected to open within the next few months.

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He further said CSA will be bidding for both men’s and women’s Cricket World Cups, an Under 19 Cricket World Cup, and a T20 World Cup, but their main focus will be the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup as South Africa last hosted Cricket World Cup 24 years ago back in 2003.

Richards stated: “We will be bidding for both men's and women's World Cups, an Under-19 World Cup, and a T20 World Cup. But our focus will be on the 2027 men's World Cup. We believe it is an ideal opportunity as it will be 24 years since we last hosted it.”

Notably, South Africa staged the 2003 Men's World Cup and the 2005 Women's World Cup as well as the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2009 Champions Trophy, and two Under-19 tournaments.

Interim board chairman Stavros Nicolaou said their annual general meeting is expected to be held on June 12, wherein a 15-member board would be installed with 8 independent directors and 5 nominated by the members’ council, as well as, the chief executive and chief financial officer of CSA.

There will be an independent chairman at the CSA.

(With AFP Inputs)