Second Twenty20 international, Paarl
South Africa 201-5 (20 overs): Tunnicliffe 51, van Niekerk 41; Maguire 3-43
Ireland 136-3 (20 overs): Prendergast 51, Paul 40; Tryon 2-24
South Africa win by 65 runs
Scorecard
South Africa wrapped up the T20 series against Ireland with a game to spare as they won by 65 runs in Paarl.
It was an improved showing from Ireland after their 105-run reverse in Cape Town on Friday, but they would fall short once again in the three-match series.
South Africa won the toss and opted to bat with Sune Luus and Faye Tunnicliffe proving a productive opening partnership.
Ireland made a breakthrough in the 10th over as Luus was caught by Rebecca Stokell from Aimee Maguire’s delivery on 37 runs.
Tunnicliffe had reached her half century when bowled lbw by Maguire who then removed South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt on 22.
Dane van Niekerk produced a fine stand of 41 that included three sixes before being taken by Arlene Kelly, while Marizanne Kapp fell to Orla Prendergast on 16.
However, 16 from Chloe Tryon and seven from Nadine de Klerk pushed the South Africa tally out to 201-5 at the end of their innings.
Ireland got off to a slow start with Tryon taking the wicket of Ireland captain Gaby Lewis lbw on 19 before bowling Amy Hunter for 14 in the space of four balls.
It left the visitors with a huge task and while Orla Prendergast and Leah Paul offered resistance, they could not reel in the hosts’ tally with Paul bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba for 40.
Prendergast passed the half century mark which included Ireland’s only six of the day, but it was not enough with South Africa winning by 65 runs.
The third and final T20 match takes place in Benoni on Wednesday before the start of the one-day series in East London on Saturday.
