Mashimbyi beaming with pride after Proteas secure semi-final spot at World Cup

ONE of the unique strategies that Mandla Mashimbyi has implemented in building the Proteas Women, since taking over as head coach, is to put a lot of emphasis on team culture.

Coach Mashimbyi planned culture camps earlier this year, with the vision and understanding that successful teams work within a healthy team environment, just as much as they do on their skills and gameplans.

The results of those camps have already started to show now at the ongoing ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. The team seems unbeatable at the moment. They look a tight knit unit and they have shown plenty of character during the competition.

Different players have carried the team over the line on numerous occasions in the showpiece event. Furthermore, they have had an impressive turn around with four consecutive victories, after the embarrassing 10-wicket defeat to England in their opening game.

“This team has really showed me what it means to create a good environment, to allow players to be themselves, make them feel backed, make them feel like they belong and make them feel that they can contribute to the success of this team,” said Mashimbyi on Monday.  

“We've improved on a lot of things in that sense ... I'm just really proud of these girls and I'll cherish every moment that I have to spend with them in my pursuit to getting them better or help them get better as well as players and as people as well.

"The reality of it is that you cannot see anyone or anything's true potential if the environment is not fertile or not right. That was probably the foundation of this team.

“We needed to get our environment sound and then we will be able to see the real character of this team. It's going to help players actually grow and become better versions of themselves. 

“For me, that's probably the most key thing with this team. There were a couple of points that we needed to iron out and then I think from that stance we've done really well.”

Mashimbyi’s team have their sights on their next clash against Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday in their penultimate group stage clash.

Recently, South Africa beat Pakistan 2-1 in a three-match ODI series, and also notched a third win in four matches against the nation in a warm-up match before the World Cup. Nonetheless, the one loss they suffered, in the third ODI, will no doubt remain concerning for the Proteas, while also giving their opponents on Tuesday a degree of hope.

It was then that the Proteas capitulated in dramatic fashion, collapsing to 115 all out in 25.5 overs, eventually losing the encounter by six wickets. It is for this reason Klaas emphasised that they are not taking Pakistan lightly.

Victories over New Zealand (by six wickets), India (by three wickets), Bangladesh (by three wickets) and last week Friday Sri Lanka (by 10 wickets) during the tournament, however, has ensured that the Proteas will progress to the knockout stages regardless of Tuesday's result or the subsequent encounter against Australia on Saturday.

The Proteas are currently third in the eight team table with eight points. Australia and England are currently first and second, respectively, and both one point ahead of the South Africans. India currently occupy the final play-off spot, four points behind the Proteas. 

Despite having secured a spot in the semi-finals next week, Mashimbyi highlighted that they still have a reason to play their best cricket.

“It's important that we try and understand how we want to play the next two games because that could give us the momentum needed for us to really become a force in the knockout stages,” he said.  

“We know that the knockout stages are the lottery, but if you've got the right momentum and the right confidence with you, the chances are just a little bit much higher than the rest of the teams. We just want to make sure that we win these two games and make sure that we go in with the right momentum.”

The clash between South Africa women and Pakistan is set to get underway at 11.30am on Tuesday.