Mandla Mashimbyi hoping Marizanne Kapp can help the Proteas Women return to winning ways

Veteran allrounder Marizanne Kapp will make her much-anticipated return to the Proteas Women’s team on their upcoming tour to the West Indies.

Kapp was sorely missed during the recent Tri-Series in Sri Lanka, where the Proteas failed to qualify for the final of the competition involving the hosts and India. 

The Proteas won just one of their four ODI’s played in Colombo. 

Kapp will not only add valuable experience, but also her quality with the ball especially after the Proteas bowlers leaked runs at will during the Tri-Series. 

The 35-year-old will be joined by fellow seamers Tumi Sekhukhune and Ayanda Hlubi, who replace Seshnie Naidu and left-handed batter Lara Goodall.

Nineteen-year-old leg-spinner Naidu played just one game, recording figures of 1/40, while Goodall only managed 61 runs at average of 15.25.

“You can never underestimate the value of an experienced player in your squad,” said Proteas coach Mandla Mashimbyi.

“But, you know, based on the plans that we had for Marizanne in terms of her fitness block and to make sure that, you know, by the time we get to the World Cup, should be where she needs to be. That was most important for us at this time

“But having her back into the squad, it's something that I'm looking forward to seeing, seeing how she operates within the team environment and also the experience that she brings within the team as well.”

In Kapp’s absence, the Proteas may have unearthed her natural successor with young Annerie Dercksen, who starred with the bat in the Tri-Series. 

The ICC Emerging Player of the Year was sensational, striking her maiden ODI century, and a further half-century to top the Tri-Series scoring charts ahead of Indian superstars Smitri Mandhana (264) and Jemimah Rodrigues (245) with 276 runs at an average of 92.0 and 113.1 strike-rate.

“Dercksen is a huge talent. She's a lovely girl. She listens, she's willing to learn over time. 

“She works. I mean, people don't understand. This girl will drive from Beaufort West to Bloem just to go work on her bowling and she would drive to PE to work with our batting coach,” he said.

“This is a girl that's willing to sacrifice everything to make sure that she gets better. So, I'm not so surprised with the results that I'm seeing from her.

“So she's really come of age now and for her to be doing what she's doing at this young age, it just shows you the work that she's putting in behind the scenes that is starting to come through. And I'm really, really happy for her. 

“You know, I'm not, I'm telling you now that she will definitely be one of the best all-rounders in the world in the near future.”

Proteas top-order batter Anneke Bosch was not considered for the Windies series as she is struggling with the illness that caused to withdraw from the Sri Lankan tour. 

The Tri-Series was Mashimbyi’s first full series in charge of the Proteas and the former Titan’s Men’s coach spoke volumes about wanting to take learning with the result being secondary. 

But with the ODI World Cup India looming large towards the end of the year, Mashimbyi has shifted his focus.

“I don't want you guys to get me wrong, please. I love winning. I love winning,” he stressed.

“I've got two rules in life. I win and I learn. I don't lose.

“So in me not taking the winning serious, it's a little bit vague for me. I love to win and I'd like for the girls to win. But winning is not only based on the outcome.

“It's also based on the winning within the process that happens. That's what I was focusing on with regards to this team in Sri Lanka.

“Hopefully we take learnings out of that. And then hopefully we can apply it going forward into the West Indies and then take that confidence forward to Pakistan and then into the World Cup.”

Full Proteas Women Squad - West Indies Outbound Tour

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miané Smit, Chloé Tryon.

The fixtures for the West Indies

ODI Series

Wednesday, 11 June - 1st ODI: 

Saturday, 14 June - 2nd ODI: 

Tuesday, 17 June - 3rd ODI: West Indies vs South Africa

*All matches start at 4pm SA time and will be played at The Three W’s Oval in Barbados

T20I Series

Friday, 20 June -1st T20I

Sunday, 22 June - 2nd T20I

Monday, 23 June - 3rd T20I

All matches to start at 8pm (SA time) and to be played at the Three W’s Oval in Barbados