Cricket
Proteas eye Ireland whitewash as Mashimbyi highlights belief and growth─── MORGAN PIEK 07:36 Sat, 13 Dec 2025
The Proteas Women will be gunning for another series clean sweep when they shift their focus to One-Day International cricket against Ireland.
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup runners-up take on the Irish from Saturday in East London, and they’ll be keen to keep their positive momentum rolling.
South Africa recently edged Ireland 2–0 in the T20 International series, and while the third and final match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni was washed out due to weather on the East Rand, it still technically counts as a whitewash.
Mandla Mashimbyi with Marizanne Kapp, who will not be playing in the ODI series. Photo: Cricinfo
This ODI series will be the Proteas Women’s first since their heartbreaking 52-run defeat to India in the final of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in Navi Mumbai.
Over the past year, the Proteas have shown significant growth, particularly in the intensity of their performances. That has been a key focus, along with building belief within the squad. The confidence is clear to see, with more positive body language in the field and greater freedom when batting.
Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi told OFM Sport that nurturing belief and focusing on the human side of the game have been central to the team’s progress.
“Belief has been key for us. I’ve always said I focus a lot on the human side of the game – the environment and the people around the team,” Mashimbyi said.
“When you look after that, belief grows naturally. Players feel confident to put their hand up, and that camaraderie starts to build.
“You can see it in the way the girls are enjoying playing for their country.”
Laura Wolvaardt and Gaby Lewis. Photo: CSA
The former Knights (then Eagles) fast bowler added that while the team is on the right path, they are still a work in progress and some way off becoming the most dominant side in world cricket – which remains the ultimate goal.
“As well as we’re doing, I still think we’re only about 70% of where we need to be in terms of mindset and skills to truly dominate world cricket,” Mashimbyi added.
“There’s still a lot of room for improvement, but we’re committed to getting better. Hopefully in a year’s time we’ll be where we want to be and really start dominating.”
Play at Buffalo Park gets underway on Saturday morning at 10:00.
