Mandla Mashimbyi demands winning mindset as Proteas Women take on Pakistan in ODIs

Fresh from their T20I series triumph, the Proteas Women turn their attention to the 50-over format this weekend as they face Pakistan in the first One Day International of the three-match series at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Sunday, with head coach Mandla Mashimbyi demanding “bravery” and a winners’ mindset.

For Mashimbyi, the T20 leg of the Pakistan tour provided a valuable progress check ahead of the T20 World Cup in England in June. “It was a perfect opportunity for us to gauge where we are and identify the gaps we need to fill,” he said. “The potential in this team is huge and there’s still so much growth to come.”

A key area of focus has been improving execution with the bat. Mashimbyi believes some players have been hampered not by intent, but by the positions they get themselves into before playing their shots.

“We’ve identified that sometimes it’s the position that stifles execution,” he explained. “Now we’re helping them understand what position to get into for which shot. Once that becomes second nature, they can dictate the game and manipulate the field.”

With the switch to 50-over cricket, Mashimbyi wants a clear mental shift. “The mindset is that we want to be winners. When you think like a winner, you train like one and you operate like one,” he said. “We’re focusing on small individual victories that ultimately build a winning force in world cricket.”

Beyond the immediate series result, the ODIs carry weight in the race for automatic qualification for the 2029 World Cup as part of the ICC Women's Championship. While points are crucial, Mashimbyi insists the emphasis remains simple.

“The emphasis is to win. The points will look after themselves if we focus on every game. We can’t take any match for granted,” he said, adding that the squad’s blend of youth reflects the early stages of a long-term “Project 2029”.

Mashimbyi links bravery closely to responsibility. “Bravery and risk are synonymous,” he said. “But it’s about understanding what the game needs and what the team needs from you in that moment — not what you need.”

In the longer format, that responsibility may mean building partnerships, batting deep, or delivering under pressure with the ball. Mashimbyi revealed the team use a formula to break the innings into manageable phases, stacking “small victories” across the 50 overs.

If they execute that blueprint against Pakistan, the Proteas Women will not only strengthen their qualification push, but continue shaping a side determined to arrive in England in June with no doubts – only belief.

Proteas Women’s ODI Squad 

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Tazmin Brits, Fay Cowling, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloé Tryon and Faye Tunnicliffe.

Fixtures - Proteas Women vs Pakistan Women

Sunday: Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, 10am

Wednesday: SuperSport Park, Centurion, 2pm

Sunday, March 1: Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 10am