Marizanne Kapp absent as Proteas Women door still open for Shabnim Ismail

Kapp fell ill during the third T20I against Pakistan earlier this year and subsequently missed the recent tour of New Zealand.  

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Mashimbyi, however, remains hopeful the veteran all-rounder will make it in time for the Women’s T20 World Cup in England in June, and says she has already begun return-to-play (RTP) protocols. 

"I think Kapp is doing really well, she's started with her RTP now and her rehab, so she should be fine. Unfortunately she won't be ready for the India tour," said Mashimbyi.

"But also, there's a silver lining there because then obviously it means that she rests a little bit more and then just before we go [to the World Cup], she will be shooting from all cylinders and she'll be hungry.

"I actually spoke to her the other day and she is looking forward to coming back into the environment and making an impact."

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Meanwhile, Mashimbyi also confirmed he is still crossing fingers for the return of retired bowler Shabnim Ismail, who holds the record for the fastest ball ever recorded in women’s cricket at 132.1 km/h.  

"I did speak to her, I think last year sometime, and I told her that whenever she feels that she's ready to come back, I'm always available and the door will always be open for her," he noted.

"And ja, it will be nice to have a player of Shabnim's calibre in our bowling attack, to be honest with you. So maybe she will call me tomorrow.

"And, if she does, that will be great, to be honest with you, but at the end of the day we need to work with what we have at the moment.

"As you said earlier, our bowling was not up to standard and we need to understand exactly what is it about our bowling where we're lacking."