Proteas women target winning momentum in ODI series against Ireland

Proteas Women head coach Mandla Mashimbyi says he wants his side to continue building momentum in the 50-over format as they prepare to face Ireland in the first one-day international (ODI) in East London on Saturday.

The opening encounter of the three-match series will get underway at 10h00 SAST at the Buffalo Park Stadium, and will be live on SuperSport and SABC.

In the pre-match press conference on Friday, Coach Mashimbyi outlined the team’s approach to their first ODI outing since the conclusion of their thrilling run to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final against hosts and eventual champions, India.

“I know we're not apologetic about how we want to play. We want to play to win. We want to make winning a habit.

“We're not taking Ireland lightly. But the one thing that we make sure that we do is that we focus on ourselves. We make sure that we do what we need to do. We try and keep it as simple as possible. At the same time, when there's opportunities for us to take the game forward, we do that.

“Obviously, the next World Cup is in 2029. It's a great opportunity for us to see what we have in store in terms of players. We've got new players coming into the squad. We've rested most players just to prep for 2029. So you'll see a lot of youngsters coming in.

“We still want to play the same brand of cricket. The same kind of environment that we created in the World Cup, we want to maintain that,” Mashimbyi added.

South Africa has enjoyed strong form in One-Day cricket recently, winning 11 of their last 16 matches, including six victories that carried them to a historic first-ever 50-over World Cup final.

Against Ireland, the Proteas Women have also recorded 18 wins in their 19 completed contests.

On the back of their positive run, Mashimbyi was asked whether the team’s mentality has been the biggest change within the set-up since he took over in December last year.

“I think what was key is just to increase the belief of the team. I'm sure you're aware of my philosophy as a coach. I'm more worried about the things that happen around cricket. The human side of it, the environment, and I felt that if we can look after the human side, it will be easy for us to instil belief within the group. And also just that understanding that everybody can put their hand up and put in a big performance for this team,” he continued.

In assessing the conditions ahead of the match at Buffalo Park, Mashimbyi said: “There's been a lot of rain around, so you just don't know what the conditions might bring.

“But we are prepared for any eventuality. Whatever we find, we're going to assess and then adapt accordingly.”

PROTEAS WOMEN SQUAD - ODI SERIES:

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), *Leah Jones (World Sports Betting Western Province), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans), Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)

*Uncapped

FIXTURES - PROTEAS WOMEN’S INBOUND TOUR VS IRELAND 2025

ODI Series

Saturday, 13 December - 1st ODI at 10h00: South Africa v Ireland (Buffalo Park Stadium, East London)

Tuesday, 16 December - 2nd ODI at 10h00: South Africa v Ireland (St George’s Park, Gqeberha)

Friday, 19 December - 3rd ODI at 14h00: South Africa v Ireland (DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg)

**All times are SAST