The Spar Proteas are in Group C, with Jamaica, Wales, and Sri Lanka.

The World Cup takes place at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town from 28 July to 6 August.

The first World showpiece scheduled to take place in Africa in 60 years consists of 16 teams divided into four groups, A, B, C, and D, and will play 60 matches during the 10-day netball extravaganza.

Newly appointed World Cup tournament director Priscilla Masisi confirmed to SABC Sports the Proteas would play in front of sold-out crowds in the 5000-capacity arena.

“The first phase of 40% saw all the Spar Proteas tickets sold-out quickly,” said Masisi.

Masisi said the second phase of the World Cup tickets goes up on sale tomorrow.

“We are urging all South Africans to go and buy tickets going on sale tomorrow (Friday) morning at 6 am on our website, www.nwc.org.za.

The second phase of tickets goes live (on 10 February). We are selling another 40%, and expect them to sell fast. The remaining 20% of tickets will go on sale later. The World Cup ticket rights holders are World Netball, and they determined the prizes, not Netball SA or the government.

“The CT International Convention Centre, our main venue, carries 5000 seats, and our second venue, has 1 200 seats.

The World Cup venues are small and will not accommodate many people wishing to watch the event live at the arena. Only the lucky fans will get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the World Cup live,” said Masisi.

Masisi said the government is working hard to ensure those left behind can watch the action on television in fan parks in the nine provinces.

“We are creating fan parks across the nine provinces.

We appeal to South Africans to go to the fan parks and viewing centres to watch the action for free,” she said.

Masisi worked at Transnet, Metro rail, and the department of sports, arts, and culture at the head office in Tshwane and as the head of the department at Gauteng sports before she joined the netball 2023 World Cup team.

“My responsibility mainly entails organizing the World Cup, team schedule, taking care of all the logistics, and heading the congress during the tournament.

I work with all the stakeholders starting with the police, tourism, and health, to mention a few, to make sure all the visitors get proper treatment,” said Masisi.

She said the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was on track with its World Cup preparations promising a world-class tournament on South African soil.

“We launched the World Cup logo and mascot and celebrated the one-year World Cup countdown last year.

We held a successful World Cup Africa regional qualifier in Pretoria. We secured accommodation and arranged transport for all 16 teams.

We did the draw in December, and the security plans are on point.

The two venues are almost complete, and we are ready to deliver a world-class event,” added Masisi.

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