PROTEAS WOMEN JOIN GOLDEN ERA

ICC WOMEN'S CUP

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN and ONGAMA GCWABE

WHEN the Proteas Women take on India in tomorrow’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final in Navi Mumbai, it won't just be skill and strategy on display — it will be love, care, and trust.

These values lie at the heart of head coach Mandla Mashimbyi’s approach, a philosophy he has championed since taking the reins barely a year ago.

Barely a year into the job, Mashimbyi has done what no South African coach — male or female — has achieved before: guiding the Proteas Women to a 50-over Cricket World Cup final. His tenure has been defined not just by tactical acumen, but by emotional intelligence and a renewed focus on unity.

“My philosophy speaks to the person rather than the cricketer,” Mashimbyi explained. “When I came into the job, the one thing | picked up was the division that was within the team, not necessarily in a malicious way, but I just thought maybe we could be better in making sure we are more of a united front as a team,” Mashimbyi told the media yesterday.

“What's important for me was to give them the love, always give them the care, the energy and be consistent in doing that. I think that builds trust.”