Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Rhodes Hopes South Africa End Drought at 2027 World Cup
Jonty Rhodes used to play cricket for South Africa.
He is also famous for being an amazing fielder.
He hopes South Africa will win the Cricket World Cup in 2027.
That year, the World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Rhodes said playing at home is special because the fans are so friendly and supportive.
South Africa has never won a big one-day trophy, and Rhodes wants to change that.
He also said that 50-over cricket is still loved by fans even though T20 cricket is very popular.
Long ago, in 1993, Rhodes caught five balls in one match, which was a world record.
He says fielding has gotten much better since then.
Today, teams cannot hide even one weak fielder.
Jonty Rhodes hopes South Africa can end its long wait for an ICC limited-overs trophy by winning the 2027 ODI World Cup at home.
South Africa will co-host the 2027 ODI World Cup with Zimbabwe and Namibia, and the 2003 edition hosted in South Africa was Rhodes' fourth and final World Cup.
Rhodes said 50-over cricket will stay relevant through World Cup cricket and passionate fans even if bilateral ODI series shrink.
He recalled taking a then-world-record five catches against the West Indies in the 1993 Hero Cup.
Rhodes believes fielding standards have evolved so much that teams can no longer hide even one weak fielder.
- Who
- Jonty Rhodes, former South Africa cricketer and co-owner of the Rotterdam Dockers in the European T20 Premier League.
- What
- Rhodes expressed hope that South Africa can use home advantage at the 2027 ODI World Cup to finally win an ICC limited-overs trophy.
- When
- The 2027 ODI World Cup; Rhodes made the comments at the Rotterdam Dockers' jersey unveiling ceremony, with no specific date given in the article.
- Where
- South Africa, which will host the 2027 ODI World Cup together with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
- Why
- South Africa has not won an ICC limited-overs trophy, and Rhodes believes the team's good form, home support, and passionate one-day fans make the tournament a special opportunity.
- 2027 ODI World Cup hosts
- South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia
- Rhodes' World Cup history
- Played four World Cups; 2003 in South Africa was his final
- Rhodes' current role
- Co-owner of Rotterdam Dockers in the European T20 Premier League alongside John Abraham
- Previous major events hosted by South Africa
- 1995 Rugby World Cup, 2007 T20 World Cup, 2010 FIFA World Cup
- Fielding record
- Five catches vs West Indies in the 1993 Hero Cup, then a world record
- Pro20 launch
- Launched in South Africa in 2004 with Standard Bank
- Views on 50-over cricket
- Bilateral ODI series will shrink, but World Cup cricket keeps the format relevant