Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock has revealed his predictions for the four teams that will reach the semi-finals of the 2027 ODI World Cup. The upcoming tournament will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, starting on October 2, 2027, and concluding with the final on November 21.
As the competition returns to the African continent, teams will need to navigate varied conditions to claim the prestigious 50-over title. While Pollock has identified four primary contenders, he acknowledges that the race for the final four remains open to other established powers.
Pollock’s Top Four Contenders
In a conversation with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pollock named Australia, India, England, and South Africa as his predicted semi-finalists. Australia enters the cycle as the reigning champions, having secured a record-extending sixth title after their 2023 victory over India in Ahmedabad.
India will be driven by the desire to secure a third championship after their recent runners-up finish. Meanwhile, England looks to recapture the glory of their 2019 triumph, and South Africa will aim to leverage home-field advantage in their pursuit of a maiden World Cup trophy.
Potential Spoilers and Outsiders
Despite his specific picks, Pollock refused to count out New Zealand. The Black Caps have maintained a remarkable level of consistency in recent cycles, appearing in the 2015 and 2019 finals and reaching the semi-finals in 2023, where they eventually fell to India.
While the Proteas and other giants strive for progression, Pollock’s predictions exclude former champions Pakistan (1992 winners) and Sri Lanka (1996 winners). Both nations will seek to defy these expectations when the tournament commences in October 2027.