Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ICC Chairman Jay Shah, Cricket SA President Rihan Richards and Namibia Cricket President Dr Rudie van Vuuren pose with the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy.
In just over a year, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will stand together as co-hosts of the 2027 Cricket World Cup — the first time the tournament has returned to African soil in 24 years.
For Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad, this month's T20I tri-series in Windhoek therefore means much more than just another tour; it is the beginning of a relationship that will bring the two southern African neighbours much closer together.
"I think we've got that responsibility as the — let's call it 'the big brother' — to ensure that we assist where we can in the development of cricket in all of Africa," Conrad said. "And I think it's a wonderful place to start with our closest neighbours in Zimbabwe and Namibia."
There have been arrangements in the past that granted Namibia the opportunity to compete in South Africa’s premier domestic 45-over one-day competition — ironically to prepare them for participation in the 2003 World Cup when Africa last hosted the World Cup.
