The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) has given Cricket South Africa (CSA) a grant of R65,6 million to upgrade stadium infrastructure and purchase ground equipment in preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 which will be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The grant will be invested at nine venues across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and North-West, covering permanent stadium infrastructure, broadcast and media facilities, and ground equipment. Along with JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom, the nine venues include all eight South African World Cup host venues: Newlands, Boland Park, St George’s Park, Buffalo Park, Mangaung Oval, Kingsmead, SuperSport Park and the Wanderers Stadium.
The upgrades at Newlands include a new secondary scoreboard, an ICC command centre, upgraded seating, refurbished players’ change rooms, a new sound and evacuation system and a new net structure. Buffalo Park in KuGompo City will gain a new media centre and broadcasting facility, while Boland Park in Paarl will build a new players’ and match officials’ area, together with hospitality facilities.
Equipment at all nine venues will include specialised mowers, tractors and pitch rollers.
