South Africa Women vs Ireland Women 2025 Series
South Africa Women dominated Ireland Women in the opening T20I of their 2025 tour series, winning by 105 runs in Cape Town on December 5. The three-match T20I series continues with the second game in Paarl on December 7 and the third in Benoni on December 10. This white-ball tour highlights South Africa’s historical edge, having won 11 of 13 prior T20Is against Ireland.
1st T20I: Dominant South African Victory
South Africa posted 220/2 after electing to bat, powered by Laura Wolvaardt’s unbeaten 115 off 56 balls—her side’s fastest T20I century—and Sune Luus’s 81. Ireland managed only 115 in 18 overs, with Leah Paul top-scoring on 34 and Gaby Lewis adding 30. Luus starred with the ball, taking 4/22, while spinners Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon claimed two wickets each, triggering a collapse after a 42-run stand.
Key performers included Ireland’s Ava Canning (1/33) and Jane Maguire, who struck early by dismissing Faye Tunnicliffe for 1. Luus opened the bowling for South Africa, removing Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast in the first over to shatter Ireland’s chase. This marked South Africa’s joint third-largest T20I win by runs and their highest score in the format.
Series Context and Head-to-Head
The tour features three T20Is, testing Ireland against a full-strength South African squad fresh from ICC Women’s World Cup final appearance. South Africa leads the T20I head-to-head 11-2 and ODIs 18-1 from 20 matches. Upcoming matches start at 2pm local time in Paarl and 6pm in Benoni, with Ireland aiming to regroup after early losses like their prior tour game.
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