Former Proteas ODI and Western Province opener and Afghanistan assistant coach Andrew Puttick will take on the role of batting coach in the Proteas’ women set-up ahead of their home T20 international series against India.
Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
- Former Afghanistan assistant coach Andrew Puttick will join the Proteas women’s backroom staff alongside new appointments Mduduzi Mbhatha and Tumi Masekela.
- The appointments come ahead of the South Africans’ five-match home T20 international series against India, which starts in Durban on Friday.
- The Proteas have made just two changes to the squad that did duty in New Zealand recently.
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Former Afghanistan assistant coach Andrew Puttick will join the Proteas’ backroom staff ahead of their women’s T20 series against India at home.
While naming just two changes to the squad that did duty in New Zealand recently, the Proteas made three coaching personnel changes on the eve of the five-match series set to start at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed the departure of batting coach Baakier Abrahams, fielding coach Bongani Ndaba and strength and conditioning (S&C) coach Zane Webster, whose contracts will not be extended beyond the 2025/26 season.
Puttick is a former Proteas ODI and Western Province opener who was part of Jonathan Trott’s Afghanistan coaching team from 2024 to 2025.
He joins former Dolphins assistant coach Mduduzi Mbhatha and former first-class cricketer and S&C coach Tumi Masekela in replacing Abrahams, Ndaba and Webster respectively until the end of the World Cup, when permanent replacements will be confirmed, CSA said.
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The backroom changes are said to be part of a “planned transition” and follow a successful period in which the Proteas reached consecutive World Cup finals in 2024 and 2025.
Webster was also involved in South Africa’s home World Cup campaign in 2023, when they reached a maiden ICC final.
“As a team, we are always looking to evolve, and the introduction of new voices brings fresh perspective and renewed energy to the group,” said Proteas coach Mandla Mashimbyi.
“We are grateful to Baakier, Bongani and Zane for the strong foundation they have helped build, and this next phase gives us an opportunity to challenge ourselves further as we continue our preparations towards the World Cup.”
The Proteas will look to sharpen up their T20 performance following a chastening 4-1 series defeat to the White Ferns, who are current T20 world champions, when they host India this month in what will be the South Africans’ final official assignment before the Women’s T20 World Cup in England in June.
The 15-player squad, which will be led by Laura Wolvaardt, sees a maiden national call-up for Titans wicketkeeper-batter Tebogo Macheke after a wrist injury ruled Karabo Meso out of the tour.
Her Titans teammate, bowling all-rounder Eliz-Mari Marx, has also been recalled as replacement for seamer Masabata Klaas.
“Maintaining a core group of players at this stage is essential, allowing coach Mandla and the team the opportunity to further enhance cohesion across disciplines, test combinations and continue to develop a strategy for a successful World Cup,” said convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez.
Marx’s inclusion was an adjustment to the balance of the squad, he explained, which was “aimed at providing different solutions to what the opposition may pose”.
He added that Macheke’s consistency and ability at domestic and emerging level had been rewarded with an opportunity to stake a claim in the national setup.
Proteas squad to face India
Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Titans), Anneke Bosch (Titans), Tazmin Brits (Lions), Nadine de Klerk (Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Suné Luus (Titans), *Tebogo Macheke (Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Kayla Reyneke (Western Province), Tumi Sekhukhune (Lions) and Chloé Tryon (Lions).
*Uncapped
Fixtures
First T20, Friday, 17 April
South Africa v India – Kingsmead, Durban (18:00)
Second T20, Sunday, 19 April
South Africa v India – Kingsmead, Durban (14:00)
Third T20, Wednesday, 22 April
South Africa v India – Wanderers, Johannesburg (18:00)
Fourth T20, Saturday, 25 April
South Africa v India – Wanderers, Johannesburg (18:00)
Fifth T20, Monday, 27 April
South Africa v India – Willowmoore Park, Benoni (14:00)
Meanwhile, top-order batter Anneke Bosch retains her place after replacing Dané van Niekerk (calf injury) during the T20I series against the White Ferns.
Experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp remains unavailable for selection as she continues her rehabilitation from illness.
Kingsmead will host the two opening matches on Friday (17 April) and Sunday (19 April) before the inbound tour moves to the Highveld with two matches (22 and 25 April) at the Wanderers and the final encounter to take place at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Freedom Day (27 April).
