Pretoria: A South African judge on Wednesday granted prosecutors leave to appeal against the conviction of Oscar Pistorius for culpable homicide.
But the judge refused leave to appeal the five-year sentence imposed on the sprinter.
"I cannot say ... that the prospect of success at the Supreme Court of Appeal is remote," Judge Thokozile Masipa said.
"I am also of the view ... this might have a practical effect. The application therefore in respect of count one is decided in favour of the applicant.
"The application for leave to appeal against the sentence is dismissed."
Pistorius said he shot Reeva Steenkamp four times through a locked toilet door on Valentine's Day 2013 in the belief she was an intruder.
Masipa found him guilty of culpable homicide, also known as manslaughter, and sentenced him to five years in jail, meaning that the 28-year-old could end up spending only 10 months of his jail term at Pretoria's central prison.
