The Gaby Lewis-led Ireland, on their maiden bilateral tour to South Africa, were up against the Proteas for a three-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series from 5th to 19th December 2025.
It also marks the Laura Wolvaardt-led side’s first assignment after finishing up as the proud runners-up of the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 30th September to 2nd November 2025. The 32-year-old all-rounder, Dane van Niekerk, returned to the South African set-up after four years. She had earlier announced her retirement from international cricket in March 2023. She reversed her international retirement in August earlier this year.
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus set up South Africa’s highest T20I total
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bat first at Newlands, Cape Town. Sune Luus was promoted to open the innings alongside Faye Tunnicliffe. Jane Maguire provided an early breakthrough for Ireland as she picked up the wicket of Faye Tunnicliffe in the 2nd over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for her side.
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt came in at number 3, joining Sune Luus. The former South African skipper, finding her way into the innings, assessed the conditions on offer. Wolvaardt continued her sublime form and took the aggressor’s route, finding gaps with her classical strokes. The pair switched gears as the innings progressed, shaping into ominous proportions, registering the highest-ever partnership for South Africa (176 runs) in the T20I format, for any wicket.
Ava Canning cleaned up Sune Luus (81 off 51 balls), providing the much-needed 2nd breakthrough for the visitors. Sune Luus promotion worked well for the home side as she registered an impressive half-century before getting dismissed in the 18th over of the innings. Dane Van Niekerk made an eye-catching comeback into the South African side, with a breezy cameo (21* off 8 balls), smashing 4 boundaries as South Africa registered their highest-ever T20I total 220/2 in their quota of 20 overs.
Laura Wolvaardt registered her 2nd T20I century (115* off 56 balls) and also registered the fastest century by a South African (52 balls) in the T20I format. Jane Maguire (4-0-52-1) and Ava Canning (4-0-33-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for Ireland.
Spinners wreak havoc as the home side thrash Ireland
Laura Wolvaart pulled up a surprise introduction of spin in the form of Sune Luus to open the bowling. It eventually proved to be a masterstroke as she removed the dangerous duo of Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast in the 1st over of the innings. Leah Paul joined skipper Gaby Lewis at the crease, and the duo led some sort of a recovery with a much-needed 42-run partnership for the 3rd wicket.
The left-arm spinner Chloe Tryon got the better of the opposition skipper Gaby Lewis (30 off 29 balls) in the 8th over of the innings to provide the 3rd breakthrough for South Africa. Laura Delany joined Leah Paul at the crease, and the pair stitched another crucial 31-run partnership for the 4th wicket.
Much like the Irish batters on the day, Leah Paul (34 off 23 balls) departed to a spinner as Nondumiso Shangase delivered the 4th breakthrough for her side. The visitors suffered a horrible collapse after the departure of Leah Paul as they were eventually bundled out for just 115, with a couple of overs to spare. They lost their last 6 wickets for just 38 runs. As a result, they fell 105 runs short of the target.
Sune Luus (4-0-22-4) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (3-0-9-2) were the standout performers with the ball for South Africa. While Chloe Tryon (3-0-14-2), Nadine de Klerk (2-0-13-1), and Nondumiso Shangase (2-0-13-1) played their part with the ball for their side.
The South African skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational match-defining innings (115* off 56 balls). Her knock included 15 boundaries and 4 maximums. She, alongside Sune Luus, played decisive roles in setting up a commanding performance as they took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Loves all things female cricket