Proteas Women’s coach Mandla Mashimbyi is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve.
His passionate pre-match speeches along with his bold statements are fast becoming his trademark. Upon arrival back in South Africa, he hauled one out of the top drawer.
“We’ll bring the tsunami there,” said Mashimbyi, in reference to next year’s ICC T20 Women’s World Cup in England.
“I’m kind of excited now, because when no one gave us a chance, we gave ourselves a chance. I know what to do going forward. We’ll make sure we leave no stone unturned for England,” he added.
The fact that Mashimbyi is already looking ahead to the next major ICC event, and not simply basking in the glory of becoming the first national team coach to lead a senior Proteas team to an ICC World Cup final, is a positive sign.
“It was a special campaign for South Africa. But if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be,” he said.
“We played good cricket, showed character. We have to accept it, learn, grow from it. Going forward a lot of good things will happen for this team and we’ll come back and give it another go.”
The ICC Women’s World Cup was Mashimbyi’s first global event since being appointed in December last year.
His tenure started in challenging circumstances with a series defeat to England and not qualifying for the Tri-Series final, involving hosts Sri Lanka and newly-crowned world champions India.
But slowly the team grew acquainted with his unique coaching methods with series wins in West Indies and Pakistan leading up to their successful World Cup campaign.
“I bring a different vibe to the changeroom. My coaching style is unconventional, in terms of me focusing on the person before the cricketer. More about love and care because the environment is more important for me than playing cricket itself,” Mashimbyi said.
“When people are happy in the environment, they are able to do what the girls have done in this tournament. The proof is in the pudding.”
The former Titans Men’s coach was also pleased with the way his relationship has developed with his skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who is the polar opposite in her attention to detail and the technical aspects of the game, which he believes bodes well for the future.
“You let her be,” Mashimbyi said in his dealings with Wolvaardt. “As long as she knows that you back her, and that you are behind her all the time.
“Laura has shown a great deal of mental fortitude in terms of her talent and how she’s led the team as well. She’s also grown in this tournament. That’s why I say, going forward this team will be even stronger.”
