The highly anticipated ODI series opener pits South Africa Women against Ireland Women at the batting friendly Buffalo Park in East London on December 13. Both sides enter this contest with contrasting recent fortunes, as South Africa look to build on their T20I series sweep while Ireland aim to challenge a world class ODI unit on a surface that rewards positive strokeplay.
South Africa, current ODI World Cup runners-up, dominated Ireland 2–0 in the preceding T20I series and carried strong confidence into their first ODI assignment since that global campaign. With depth in both batting and bowling and a historically dominant head-to-head record of 18 wins from 20 ODIs against Ireland (one defeat, one no result), the Proteas will be eager to assert control early in the series.
Ireland Women, meanwhile, face a stern test but arrive with a core of promising all-rounders capable of pushing South Africa if they adapt quickly to conditions. Skipper Gaby Lewis leads a unit seeking to overturn history and use this tour as a platform to gain invaluable experience against top-tier opposition.
Squads:
South Africa Women’s Cricket Team
Laura Wolvaardt (C), Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk
Ireland Women’s Cricket Team
Gaby Lewis (C), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Jane Maguire, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell
Players to watch out:
Laura Wolvaardt
Laura Wolvaardt, currently ranked the number one ODI batter, has played 119 ODIs and scored 5,222 runs, underlining her status as South Africa’s premier run maker. In the recent World Cup, she amassed a record breaking 571 runs at 71.37, including a monumental 169 in the semifinal against England that propelled South Africa into their first ever ODI final, followed by a fighting 101 in the title clash that showcased her resilience under pressure.
Nadine de Klerk
Nadine de Klerk brings genuine all-round value with 934 runs and 68 wickets from 58 ODIs, giving South Africa balance in both departments. In the World Cup she compiled 208 runs and claimed nine wickets, highlighted by a fearless 84* off 54 balls against India in the group stage where she also picked up two wickets, underlining her ability to change games from the lower order.
Gaby Lewis
Captain Gaby Lewis is Ireland’s key all-rounder, having scored 2,772 runs in 59 ODIs at a strike rate of 69 while also chipping in with 10 wickets. Her experience at the top of the order and capacity to contribute with the ball make her central to Ireland’s hopes of batting deep and competing with South Africa’s attack.
Christina Coulter Reilly
Wicketkeeper batter Christina Coulter Reilly has featured in 9 ODIs, scoring 170 runs, and offers stability in the middle order along with tidy work behind the stumps. Her ability to rotate strike and support set batters will be vital if Ireland are to post or chase competitive totals against a high-quality Proteas bowling unit.
Pitch:
Buffalo Park in East London is generally regarded as a batting friendly venue with a relatively flat surface that allows stroke makers to play through the line. While the pitch offers good pace and bounce typical of South African conditions, giving seamers some assistance, it usually leans towards high scoring contests if batters apply themselves.
Weather:
Conditions are expected to be cool, with temperatures ranging between 4°C and 11°C, humidity around 83%, and light precipitation chances of about 5%, accompanied by winds near 18 km/h factors that could aid swing early without seriously threatening a full game.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Laura Wolvaardt, Gaby Lewis, Laura Delany, Nadine de Klerk, Orla Prendergast, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Arlene Kelly, Nonkululeko Mlaba
Match details:
Date – December 13, 2025
Time – 1:30 PM IST
Venue – Buffalo Park, East London
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