Proteas Women's skipper Laura Wolvaardt at the top of world batting rankings
Proteas Women's captain Laura Wolvaardt has surged to the top of the world batting rankings in ODIs after another standout series at home against Ireland.
Mandla Mashimbyi insists Proteas Women can take 'lot of positives' after defeat to India
Mashimbyi charges fell just short of the 277-run target, which would have been a record run-chase in 50-over internationals for the Proteas, with opener Tazmin Brits scoring 109.
The Proteas collapsed from 240-4 to eventually be bowled out for 261 in the final over and Mashimbyi rued his team's missed opportunity to start the series with a victory.
The head coach said: "I'm really proud of the girls. There are a lot of positives we can take out of this game. I think they showed a good fight throughout.
"Obviously it didn't go our way, which was quite unfortunate. But I think for me, as I summarised the whole game, it was a game of missed opportunities.
"For the majority of the match, we actually had control of the game, and we let it go away from us and that's when they capitalised with both bat and ball."
The tri-series in Sri Lanka is Mashimbyi's first full series in charge of the national side and he has identified areas which the team must improve before taking on the hosts on Friday.
He added: "There are so many things that we can take out. In the field, we were a bit sloppy, so that’s something we can work on.
"The nice thing about this game for me is to identify the areas that we can really improve and grow in. That's why we're never here to lose, but we're here to learn and grow."
Wolvaardt century seals series sweep as Proteas Women cruise past Ireland in Joburg
South Africa wrapped up a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep over Ireland in Friday's final one-day international at the Wanderers, securing a six-wicket win after comfortably chasing down 206.
Twin centuries help Proteas Women seal ODI series victory against Ireland
Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus struck centuries as the Proteas Women posted their highest ever ODI total before beating Ireland by 74 runs in Gqeberha to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Proteas Women cruise to victory in ODI opener against Ireland in East London
Miane Smit struck a maiden fifty while Sune Luus also struck an unbeaten half-century as the Proteas Women cruised to a seven-wicket win in the opening ODI against Ireland at Buffalo Park in East London.