Laura Wolvaardt, Suné Luus and Dané van Niekerk starred with the bat as the Proteas Women secured a 74-run victory over Ireland in the second One-Day International at the Dafabet St George’s Park Stadium at Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.
With their second consecutive ODI win over the Irish travellers, the Proteas take an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series.
Wolvaardt registered her fourth century of the year, striking 19 fours on her way to 124 off 111 balls, while Luus recorded a career-best 114 from 113 deliveries (13 fours, one six). Van Niekerk then added a rapid 88 off just 47 balls, including 13 fours and three sixes, as South Africa posted their highest-ever ODI total of 375/6.
Ireland produced a spirited chase, led by all-rounder Orla Prendergast’s 97 off 86 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) and Amy Hunter’s 64 off 66 balls (6 fours, 1 six), before the visitors fell short in the 48th over, bowled out for 301, with debutant Leah Jones claiming leading figures of three for 48 in 6.5 overs.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the hosts made a measured start against disciplined Irish bowling, which brought the early dismissal of opener Tazmin Brits (6), caught off Jane Maguire (3/75).
Ireland continued to apply pressure in the powerplay and struck again in the 11th over when Aimee Maguire (2/69) removed Lara Goodall (12), leaving South Africa on 59/2.
With Wolvaardt having seen two partners depart, the captain combined with the in-form Luus to seize control of the innings. The pair added a superb 179-run partnership for the third wicket, with both players reaching their half-centuries. Wolvaardt went on to bring up her 12th career ODI century and surpass the 1,000-run mark for the year.
Although the partnership was eventually broken in the 37th over when Aimee Maguire had Wolvaardt caught in the deep, the momentum remained firmly with the hosts. Luus was joined by the experienced van Niekerk, and the duo dominated the closing stages. Luus raised her second ODI hundred before van Niekerk followed with a quick-fire half-century.
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Despite late wickets from Arlene Kelly (1/59) and Jane Maguire, South Africa finished strongly on a formidable 375/6 from their 50 overs.
In reply, Ireland suffered an early setback when opener Sarah Forbes (0) was dismissed by Eliz-Mari Marx (1/53) in the first over. The loss did little to unsettle the visitors, as captain Gaby Lewis (45) and Hunter shared a 77-run partnership for the second wicket before Nondumiso Shangase (2/52) made the breakthrough.
Following Lewis’s dismissal, Ireland relied on Hunter and Prendergast to anchor the chase. The pair put on a vital 93-run stand, with both batters bringing up well-earned half-centuries. Shangase struck again to trap Hunter LBW, before Jones removed Laura Delany (1), leaving Ireland 171/4 in the 31st over.
Another crucial partnership between Prendergast and Leah Paul (36) kept Ireland in the battle, taking the score to 251/4 by the 40th over. However, a late collapse saw the visitors lose a flurry of wickets.
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Miané Smit (2/40) dismissed both Prendergast and Paul, before Tumi Sekhukhune (1/54), Jones and Luus (1/52) combined to wrap up the innings and contest with 13 balls to spare.
The third and final ODI will take place on Friday, 19 December at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
The Proteas Women’s Inbound Tour vs Ireland ODI Series 2025 Fixtures (All times CAT)
Sat, 13 Dec – 1st ODI: South Africa beat Ireland by 7 wickets (Buffalo Park Stadium, East London)
Tue, 16 Dec – 2nd ODI: South Africa beat Ireland by 74 runs (St George’s Park, Gqeberha)
Fri, 19 Dec – 3rd ODI at 14h00: South Africa vs Ireland (DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg)
Proteas Women Starting XI
Laura Wolvaardt (C)
Tazmin Brits
Lara Goodall
Suné Luus
Dané van Niekerk
Miané Smit
Karabo Meso
Nondumiso Shangase
Eliz-Mari Marx
Leah Jones
Tumi Sekhukhune
Ireland Women Starting XI
Gaby Lewis
Sarah Forbes
Amy Hunter
Orla Prendergast
Laura Delany
Leah Paul
Rebecca Stokell
Arlene Kelly
Jane Maguire
Cara Murray
Aimee Maguire
Original Copy: Cricket South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Proteas Women skipper Laura Wolvaardt led from the front after winning the toss, her fourth century innings of 2025 taking her over 1,000 runs in the calendar year, and South Africa to an ODI series-sealing 74-run victory over Ireland, at St George’s Park Stadium at Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, 16 December 2025. All Photos: Cricket South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Leah Jones made a starring debut, capturing three wickets for 48 runs to clean up the Irish tail for a memorable South African win.
Photo 3 Caption: Nondumiso Shangase struck two vital blows for the Proteas Women, removing opening captain Gaby Lewis and no.3 Amy Hunter.
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