Proteas’ World Cup feat marks latest chapter in golden era for South African women’s sport

When the Proteas Women play hosts India in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, love, care and trust will be at the centre of their game plan – the same philosophy that head coach Mandla Mashimbyi has championed since taking over.

Barely a year into the job, Mashimbyi has done what no South African coach – male or female – has achieved before: guiding the Proteas Women to a 50-over Cricket World Cup final. His tenure has been defined not just by tactical acumen, but by emotional intelligence and a renewed focus on unity.

“My philosophy speaks to the person rather than the cricketer,” Mashimbyi explained. "When I came into the job, the one thing that I picked up was the division that was within the team, not necessarily in a malicious way, but I just thought maybe we could be better in making sure that we are more of a united front as a team,” Mashimbyi told the media on Friday.   

“What's important for me was just to always give them the love, always give them the care, the energy and be consistent in doing that. I think that builds trust."

Senior all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who starred in the semi-final against England, praised her coach’s human touch as evidence of how Mashimbyi’s “care factor” has transformed the dressing room into a family.

The Proteas’ achievement has become a rallying point for a remarkable year in South African women’s sport – a year defined by courage, connection, and continental dominance across multiple codes.

Bok Women make history at 2025 Rugby World Cup

The Springbok Women wrote a new chapter in South African rugby history at the 2025 Rugby World Cup, announcing the awakening of a ‘sleeping giant’. Entering the tournament ranked outside the top 10, the Boks defied expectations with fearless physical performances as coach Swys de Bruin’s charges advanced beyond the pool stages for the first time. While they eventually succumbed to a 46-17 defeat to New Zealand in their quarter-final in Exeter, they gave the defending champs a huge scare.

The Bok Women, led by inspirational captain Nolusindiso Booi, boasted a blend of experience and youthful flair that captured the imagination of rugby fans in England and back home, as did their team unity and never-say-die spirit. They have proven they can compete with the world’s elite, laying a solid foundation for future generations, inspiring young girls across South Africa to believe in their sporting dreams. It is a tale of triumph against great odds repeated by other women’s national teams.

Banyana Banyana continue to inspire with Afcon qualification

Banyana Banyana defied leadership uncertainty and a tough qualifying draw to  reach next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco, building on the legacy of the 2022 Afcon triumph and the historic 2023 World Cup campaign. 

Banyana showed composure and resilience, their attacking fluidity and defensive organisation once again hallmarks of a team that has matured into a continental powerhouse. They were made to sweat, however, before getting the job done in the final qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It took a nail-biting 1-0 win at Dobsonville Stadium in the second leg of the tie to confirm their place, after the first leg in the DRC had ended deadlocked at 1-1. A late winner from veteran Thembi Kgatlana was enough to give South Africa a 2-1 aggregate victory, and send South African fans into raptures. 

SA women’s hockey team book World Cup berth after being crowned African champs 

While Banyana were pushed to the wire, the South African women’s hockey team displayed the kind of continental dominance other sports can only dream of – claiming their eighth consecutive African Hockey Cup of Nations title in Ismailia, Egypt, last month. Their 4-0 thrashing of Ghana in the final, with Kayla de Waal netting a brace, earned automatic qualification for the 2026 Hockey World Cup.

The triumph for coach Inky Zondi and his side was one of several commanding performances – including a 10-0 rout of the hosts – reaffirming South Africa’s status as the continent’s standard-bearers. The Paris Olympians will be hoping to carry their form into the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium next year.