Mandla Mashimbyi predicts GOAT status for Proteas Women skipper Laura Wolvaardt

At just 27 years of age Wolvaardt has established herself as a vital cog in the South African senior women’s team, and is also one of the most revered batters of the modern game throughout the world. Mashimbyi says he’s expecting her to grow even more in the next decade and continue to break more records.

"Yeah, it is scary to think that she's only 27 now, and she can still play for another ten years. She still has room to grow and become probably one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world, when she decides to stop," said Mashimbyi .

READ: Laura Wolvaardt closes in on top spot in women's T20I batting world rankings

He applauded her for the way in which she has led the team since taking over, and says she has grown into the role. He added that Wolvaardt has embraced the leadership role in a way that belies her age, and commands respect from her teammates on the field.

The opening batter amassed 330 runs in the recently concluded T20 International series against India, a new record for the most runs in a women’s T20I series by a single player. Mashimbyi says she batted in a way that showed character after a not-so-great New Zealand tour before that. 

"And I think the way she batted throughout this tour – the India tour. After having a little bit of a setback in New Zealand, she came back stronger in this tour, but it just shows you the character she has."

"It was really hurtful for her not performing in New Zealand and the team not winning. And then she came and unfortunately, obviously, India had to feel her force, and she showed it in so many ways from a batting and leadership point of view and how she led the team as well."