south african women After a spectacular 65-run win, the three-match T20 series ended with one game remaining. ireland woman In the second T20I in Paarl. A solid half-century innings from Faye Tunnicliffe And Dane van Niekerk’s onslaught of final overs helped the hosts reach a strong score of 201 for 5 before Ireland’s chase faltered despite resistance from Orla Prendergast and Leah Paul.
Faye Tunnicliffe opens for South Africa before Dane van Niekerk provides a sharp end
Returning to international cricket, Van Niekerk turned a strong South African innings into a challenging score by scoring 41 runs from just 19 balls. His blitz included three fours and three sixes, taking the scoring rate to over ten per over. She eventually lost to Arlene Kelly, but not before South Africa crossed 200 runs For the second consecutive match.
Her late fireworks perfectly complemented opener Faye Tunnicliffe, who scored her maiden T20I half-century – a measured fifty off 40 balls. Along with Sune Luus, the pair made a vital partnership of 78 runs, giving South Africa the ideal platform.
After this, Chloe Tryon played a quick inning of 16 unbeaten runs in seven balls and overtook Lizelle Lee’s record of hitting the most sixes (49) by a South African player in Women’s T20.
Ireland’s fast bowler Amy Maguire was the standout bowler for the visitors, taking 3 for 43, which included the wickets of Tunnicliffe, Luuss and captain Laura Wolvaardt.
Ireland’s cautious start leaves their target vulnerable
Chasing 202, Ireland started conservatively and scored 33 runs for no loss in the powerplay. The slow pace proved costly as Tryon dismissed both openers – Amy Hunter and Gabby Lewis, leaving Ireland struggling at 35 for 2.
Although Ireland never threatened the target, they found stability through a solid third-wicket partnership. Leah Paul (40 off 29 balls) and Orla Prendergast (51 not out off 43 balls) displayed composure and added 76 runs, but there was little pace as the required rate rose beyond reach.
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Prendergast finally completed his half-century in the last over, but by then the match was far from over. Ireland’s score was 136 runs for 3 wickets, which was far short of the challenging score.
South Africa has taken a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series. #Cricket #SAWviREW #t20i pic.twitter.com/r78FtOhioY
– WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) 8 December 2025
With the series now sealed at 2-0, South Africa’s dominant batting performance – depth, aggression and Van Niekerk’s impressive comeback – has been the standout story. Meanwhile, Ireland will be looking for sharper intentions and better powerplay execution in the final T20I to avoid a whitewash.
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This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.