GO FOR GOLD

THE Proteas women will be out to make history by winning South Africa’s first ODI World Cup trophy when they play in the final of the tournament in Mumbai at 11.30am on Sunday. 

Captain Laura Wolvaardt and her teammates will face either defending champions Australia or hosts India, who did battle on Thursday for the right to face SA in the decider.  

Proteas allrounder Marizanne Kapp, meanwhile, believes they have an ace up their sleeves in coach Mandla Mashimbyi. 

She believes he has the ability to being calm and composure to the squad when needed most. 

After beating England in the semis, Kapp explained: “Two days before the semi-final, I probably had one of the worst net sessions of my career. We lost about 10 wickets in the first two overs. 

“Then coach Mandla just called us in and said, ‘put a price on your wicket’. From that moment, everything felt different.”

Mashimbyi’s calm demeanor, Kapp explained, helped the span shift from anxiety to focus in the final four. She added: “Even in team meetings, he made us feel relaxed. When we arrived in Guwahati, everyone just looked relaxed – and luckily, it went our way.”

SA will be hoping it goes the Proteas’ way again on Sunday.