South Africa coach vows rebuild after Women’s T20 World Cup exit

South Africa head coach Mandla Mashimbyi has vowed to address his side’s bowling depth and tactical gaps after the Proteas were knocked out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 by England at The Oval on Thursday, July 2. The tourists fell 40 runs short of a 170-run target, bowing out at the semi-final stage.

The hosts were in early strife at 23 for 3, but Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight led the fightback with a 133-run third-wicket stand that proved the turning point. England finished on 169 for 5, and despite a fighting half-century from Tazmin Brits, the South African side were eventually bowled out for 129 in 20 overs. Mashimbyi was philosophical about what the experience has taught his team.

“You just lose and you learn. And we’ve learned a lot in this World Cup, and we’re going to make sure that we go back to the drawing board and make sure that we put things in place that’s going to make us even more dangerous, even better as a team. We know where our gaps are, and that’s the only thing we can do really. We can’t change the results. It’s about the work that we put in going forward and make sure that when we get an opportunity to play World Cup again or ICC Trophy tournament, we are sitting at the same table as other teams,” said Mashimbyi as quoted by ICC.

Mashimbyi’s side had plenty to take from the tournament, however. The hard-hitting opener accumulated 225 runs to emerge as one of the competition’s leading run-scorers, while the pace duo of Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail each picked up eight wickets, forming one of the most dangerous new-ball attacks on show.

What next for Shabnim Ismail?

Ismail had reversed her retirement decision to feature for her country at this World Cup, and questions arose after the defeat about whether the 37-year-old would continue at the international level.

“I think she’s still in for the long haul. She’s going to have to make a decision. But as we stand, she’s still a Proteas player,” said Mashimbyi as quoted by ICC.

Bowling variety the key area to fix, says Mandla Mashimbyi

The reliance on the Kapp-Ismail new-ball pairing became a prominent talking point throughout the campaign, with Mashimbyi acknowledging that opponents had started to read their familiar patterns.

“I think we had too much of the same type of bowlers and teams could work out what we’re trying to do. Shabnim and Kapp can put any team under pressure with a new ball, and that’s what we’ve been doing. And now obviously the biggest thing is to go back and go back to the drawing board and make sure that we put processes in place to make sure that we’ve got players that are coming through that are going to do, if not similar, or better,” said Mashimbyi as quoted by ICC.

Mashimbyi’s charges will now watch on as the tournament reaches its conclusion. England face Australia in the final at Lord’s on Sunday, July 5, with both sides having come through their respective campaigns unbeaten.

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