Mandla Mashimbyi sees bright future despite Proteas Women World Cup heartbreak

The Proteas will have to wait a few more years to try again after they lost to tournament co-hosts India by 52 runs at the DY Patil Sports Complex in Navi Mumbai, in front of a packed partisan crowd. 

Captain Laura Wolvaardt scored another century in a valiant 299-run chase, but was dismissed for 101 and coach Mandla explained her importance in the team.

"You know Laura has shown a great deal of fortitude in terms of her mental fortitude, in terms of talent, in terms of how she led the team as well and she's also grown in this tournament that's why I'm saying going forward this team will be even better, it will be even stronger,” Mashimbyi said.

“The tight unit will be even stronger as well, so yeah, I've got no doubt the next World Cup we'll give it a good go."

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As Mashimbyi has emphasised all tournament long, he says a happy environment within the group has been what got them so far. 

He also says he’s identified the areas that need strengthening when they return home, to make sure they come back even stronger the next time. 

"When people are happy in an environment, they are able to do what these girls have done in this whole tournament and I mean the proof is in the pudding in regards to that in terms of the performances that the girls have put on throughout the tournament as well,” the coach added. 

“At the end of the day if it's not meant to be then it's not meant to be we just have to accept and grow and learn from it and make sure that when we come back we give a good go at it."

This was the first time South Africa made it to the women’s senior 50-over World Cup final, and Mashimbyi has no doubt that it will inspire a new generation of players.