Rob Walter insists 'evolving' Proteas eyeing home World Cup in 2027

Walter was speaking after his team once again fell short at an ICC tournament when they were defeated by 50 runs against New Zealand in the semifinal of the Champions Trophy in Lahore.

Walter has now watched the Proteas reach the semifinal of the 2023 ODI World Cup, the final of the T20 World Cup and now the last four of the Champions Trophy without claiming that elusive title.

South Africa will host the 2027 World Cup and the coach believes two years will be enough time build a strong team and go all out to win the trophy.

Walter said: "Every game we play is a learning opportunity. We just keep trying to take the little lessons.

"We certainly continue to keep learning from things, little bits here and there, that we can do better. We're still evolving as a team; there's no doubt in my mind.

"Two and a half years to 2027 and that's the eyes on the prize."

Walter also took the positives out of the Champions Trophy campaign that saw the Proteas beat Afghanistan and England convincingly while there game against Australia was abandoned due to rain.

"We had guys contributing significantly with the bat," Walter said. "From a bowling point of view, I think our biggest development was our accuracy, and that's something that we've been working really hard on.

"Every game we play is a learning opportunity and we just keep trying to take the little lessons. Today is a hard lesson. You feel it a little bit more because it's the end of a campaign, but we certainly continue to keep learning."

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