Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a masterclass unbeaten century to guide South Africa to a commanding six-wicket victory over Ireland, completing a 3–nil One Day International series whitewash at the DP World Wanderers Stadium, in Johannesburg, on Friday, 19 December 2025.
Chasing a modest target of 206 under the lights, Wolvaardt remained the pillar of the South African innings, timing her chase to perfection to finish on 100* off just 93 deliveries, as the hosts reached the target with 106 balls to spare.
After Ireland won the toss and elected to bat, the visitors sought to build on the spirited performances shown earlier in the tour, but the South African bowling attack, spearheaded by the clinical Nonkululeko Mlaba, proved too formidable on a responsive Wanderers surface.
Mlaba was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with exceptional figures of 4/33 in her nine overs. She was well supported by Tumi Sekhukhune, who claimed 2/27, and Suné Luus, who contributed 2/45 to dismantle the Irish middle order.
Ireland’s innings was anchored by captain Gaby Lewis, who struck a courageous 64 off 80 balls, including eight fours and a six. Lewis found some support in Christina Coulter-Reilly (37) and Leah Paul (30), but the visitors struggled to maintain momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals.
From a relatively stable position of 120/1, Ireland suffered a middle-order collapse, eventually being bowled out for 205 in the 46th over. Faye Tunnicliffe also chipped in with the ball, claiming the vital scalp of Orla Prendergast for 21.
South Africa’s response was emphatic from the outset. Openers Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits (26) raced to a 50-run partnership within the first seven overs, effectively putting the result beyond doubt early on.
While Brits fell to the persistent Arlene Kelly (2/34), Wolvaardt continued her batting clinic, treating the Johannesburg crowd to a display of elegant drives and clinical pulls. The skipper reached her 39th ODI half-century with ease and continued to dominate the Irish attack, striking 16 boundaries in her innings.
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The Proteas middle order provided useful cameos, with teenager Karabo Meso (17) and the experienced Suné Luus (25) keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Though Dané van Niekerk was dismissed for 10 by Kelly, the victory was never in question.
Fittingly, Wolvaardt struck the winning run to bring up both her century and the series-clinching win. For her consistent brilliance throughout the week, Wolvaardt was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, having surpassed 250 runs across the three fixtures.
This comprehensive victory rounds off a perfect home season start for the Proteas Women, and the team’s emphatic 2–0 T20I and ODI sweeps serve as an invaluable gauge for head coach Mandla Mashimbyi, as his focus shifts to the next cycle of cricket lying ahead, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 from 12 June 2026 in England and Wales.
Proteas Women Starting XI in the 3rd ODI on Friday, 19 December, 2025
Laura Wolvaardt (C)
Tazmin Brits
Karabo Meso
Suné Luus
Dané van Niekerk
Faye Tunnicliffe
Sinalo Jafta
Leah Jones
Tumi Sekhukhune
Ayanda Hlubi
Nonkululeko Mlaba
Ireland Women Starting XI
Gaby Lewis
Sarah Forbes
Christina Coulter Reilly
Orla Prendergast
Laura Delany
Leah Paul
Rebecca Stokell
Arlene Kelly
Jane Maguire
Ava Canning
Aimee Maguire
The Proteas Women Beat Ireland Women 2-Nil in T20I Series 2025
Fri, 5 Dec – 1st T20I: South Africa beat Ireland by 105 runs (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town)
Sun, 7 Dec – 2nd T20I: South Africa beat Ireland by 65 runs (Boland Park, Paarl)
Wed, 10 Dec – 3rd T20I: Match Washed Out (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
The Proteas Women Beat Ireland Women 3-Nil in ODI Series 2025
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: South Africa beat Ireland by 6 wickets (DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg)
Main Photo Caption: Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a masterclass unbeaten century to guide South Africa to a commanding six-wicket victory over Ireland, completing a 3–nil One Day International series whitewash at the DP World Wanderers Stadium, in Johannesburg, on Friday, 19 December 2025. All Photos: Cricket South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Wolvaardt struck the winning run to bring up both her century and the series-clinching win, and was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, having surpassed 250 runs across the three fixtures.
Photo 3 Caption: The clinical Nonkululeko Mlaba spearheaded the SA bowling attack and proved too formidable on a responsive Wanderers surface, finishing with exceptional figures of 4/33 in her nine overs.
