Proteas Women join golden era

WHEN the Proteas Women play hosts India in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final in Navi Mumbai tomorrow, love, care and trust will be at the centre of their game plan — the same philosophy that head coach Mandla Mashimbyi has championed since taking over.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN and ONGAMA GCWABE

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 that I 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 that we are more of a united front as a team,” Mashimbyi told the media yesterday.

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

Senior all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who starred in the semifinal against England, praised her coach's human touch as evidence of how Mashimbyi’s “care factor” has transformed the dressing room into a family.

The Proteas’ achievement has become a rallying point for a remarkable year in South African women’s sport — a year defined by courage, connection, and continental dominance across multiple codes.

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