Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi values the lessons of defeat while looking at the bigger picture as the Proteas Women prepare for their third match in the one-day international (ODI) Tri-Series against table-toppers India in Colombo on Wednesday.
Set to take place at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, the match will begin at 10am local time (6:30am SAST) and will be streamed live on Sri Lanka Cricket’s official YouTube channel.
After suffering back-to-back defeats to India and Sri Lanka, Mashimbyi offered a candid assessment of his team’s performances. While acknowledging areas that need improvement, he also praised the effort of his players, viewing the setbacks as part of a crucial learning curve ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
“We probably just didn't string it (together) long enough for us to dictate where the results go. But there were a lot of positives out of how the girls have been playing. We just didn't play the important moments well in both games but that's also part of learning, and I think you learn the best when you lose than when you win,” the coach noted.
MOUNTING PRESSURE, EXPERIENCE INVALUABLE
As the pressure mounts heading into the final two round-robin games, where only back-to-back victories will keep South Africa’s hopes of reaching the Tri-Series final alive, Mashimbyi expressed confidence that the experience under pressure now would prove invaluable when it counts most.
"I’d rather it happen now than in the World Cup. This is a learning curve for us in these conditions. After this Tri-Nations, we need to go back to the drawing board and make sure that we fill up all the gaps that we've identified during this series.
“We'll make sure that we leave no stone unturned and we’ll cover all those bases and make sure that when the World Cup comes, we're ready for every eventuality,” Mashimbyi added.
Although the World Cup remains the ultimate target for the Proteas Women, Mashimbyi is looking for improved performances from his charges in the final two fixtures, with a focus on execution and securing the required victories.
"It's a field placement here and an over there that changes the momentum of the game. It's prolonging the partnerships. We didn’t prolong the good periods that we had where we dictated the match.
"The only way we can turn it around is if we win the two games. There are a couple of things that we've looked into, and hopefully, with our plans and with our execution, it works out for us,” Mashimbyi said.
Mashimbyi also offered an encouraging update on two key players, Suné Luus and Karabo Meso, who left the field during the recent game against Sri Lanka due to a knee concern and illness, respectively.
Both are said to be recovering well and are being closely monitored ahead of the must-win encounter against India.
Proteas Women Squad – ODI Tri-Series
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Miané Smit (Knights) and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
*Uncapped
Fixtures – ODI Tri-Series
Wednesday, 7 May @ 6:30am SAST – 5th ODI: South Africa v India (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
Friday, 9 May @ 6:30am SAST – 6th ODI: Sri Lanka v South Africa (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)
Sunday, 11 May @ 6:30am SAST – Final: 1st Place v 2nd Place (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)