Faye Tunnicliffe produced a composed and career-best innings to lead the Proteas Women to a 65-run victory over Ireland in the second T20 International at Boland Park in Paarl, in the Western Cape, on Sunday, 7 December 2025.
The win secures an unassailable 2–0 series lead for the home side, with one match remaining.
The tall top-order batter recorded seven fours en route to her half-century worth 51 off 42 deliveries, as South Africa posted 201/5 after their 20 overs.
With ball in hand, the Proteas restricted the visitors to 136/3 in 20 overs despite an unbeaten fifty from Orla Prendergast (51* off 43 balls; 4 fours, 1 six), with Chloé Tryon returning with figures of two for 24.
The hosts won the toss and chose to set the score. Openers Tunnicliffe and Suné Luus (37) survived early jitters to bring up a half-century stand for the first wicket to take the Proteas to 51/0 at the end of the powerplay.
With the batters’ tails up at the crease, the pair continued to assert themselves, taking the score to 78/0 before Aimee Maguire (3/43) made the breakthrough to get Luus caught in the cover region in the 10th over.
While looking to maintain the scoring rate, the Proteas soon lost their other opening batter, with Tunnicliffe trapped LBW by Maguire shortly after reaching her maiden international fifty, as Ireland reduced the home side to 116/2 in the 14th over.
Ireland didn’t have to wait too long before picking up another vital wicket, as Maguire struck again, finding the edge of the in-form Laura Wolvaardt (22) with the score on 124/3 after 14 overs.
The loss of key batters didn’t do much to slow down the host nation, as the experienced pair of Dané van Niekerk (41) and Marizanne Kapp (16) added 47 runs for the fourth wicket to propel the Proteas to 171/3 before van Niekerk was dismissed leg-before-wicket off the bowling of Arlene Kelly (1/40).
Although Prendergast (1/29) managed to claim the scalp of Kapp late on, South Africa finished their 20 overs on 202/5.
In their reply, Ireland made a solid start at the crease, with openers Amy Hunter (14) and captain Gaby Lewis (19) pushing the visitors to 33/0 in the powerplay.
South Africa’s initial breakthrough eventually came in the seventh over through Tryon, striking twice to dismiss both in-batters to leave Ireland 35/2.
Prendergast and Leah Paul (40) then guided their side to 57/2 at the halfway mark of the innings, still needing 145 runs to win with 10 overs remaining.
Proteas Power Past Ireland in Paarl to Clinch T20I Series with a Match to Play
Player of the Match Faye Tunnicliffe’s career-best half-century led the Proteas Women to a commanding…
Proteas Women Hand Ireland a Stunning Defeat in Newlands Opening T20 International
The Proteas Women delivered a statement-making performance in Cape Town, routing Ireland Women by a…
Proteas Welcome Newlands T20I vs Ireland with another World Cup on the Horizon
Proteas Women’s Captain Laura Wolvaardt is eager for the T20I series against Ireland to start…
Proteas Women Squads Announced for Ireland Tour as 2026 T20 World Cup Preparations Intensify
Cricket South Africa has announced the Proteas Women’s T20I and ODI squads for the inbound…
Western Province Power Past the Dolphins and North West Register First Win
Western Province’s dominant win over the Dolphins solidifies their top spot in the Hollywoodbets Pro20…
Pro20 Clash of Champions and a Fierce Battle to Escape the Basement
The Hollywoodbets Pro20 fixtures see league powerhouse Western Province, anchored by Faye Tunnicliffe’s series-leading 110*,…
The duo continued to lead their side’s fightback, putting together a crucial 76-run partnership before Mlaba clean bowled Paul in the 17th over with Ireland on 111/3.
Despite a valiant effort by Prendergast, which saw her bring up her 10th T20I half-ton, Ireland reached the end of the chase on 136/3, falling short by 65 runs.
The third and final T20I will take place on Wednesday, 10 December at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
The Proteas Women’s Inbound Tour vs Ireland T20I Series 2025 Fixtures (All times CAT)
Fri, 5 Dec – 1st T20I: South Africa beat Ireland by 105 runs (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town)
Sun, 7 Dec – 2nd T20I at 14h00: South Africa beat Ireland by 65 runs (Boland Park, Paarl)
Wed, 10 Dec – 3rd T20I at 18h00: South Africa vs Ireland (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Proteas Women Starting XI
Faye Tunnicliffe
Suné Luus
Laura Wolvaardt (C)
Dané van Niekerk
Marizanne Kapp
Chloé Tryon
Nadine de Klerk
Nondumiso Shangase
Sinalo Jafta (WC)
Ayabonga Khaka
Nonkululeko Mlaba
Republic of Ireland Women’s Starting XI
Amy Hunter
Gaby Lewis (c)
Orla Prendergast
Leah Paul
Laura Delany
Rebecca Stokell
Arlene Kelly
Ava Canning
Alana Dalzell
Cara Murray
Aimee Maguire
Original Copy: Cricket South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Faye Tunnicliffe pictured acknowledging applause following her Player of the Match-winning T20I half-century, after skipper Laura Wolvaardt called right and elected to bat first against Ireland at Boland Park in Paarl, the Western Cape, on Sunday, 7 December 2025. All Photos: Cricket South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Suné Luus blasted 37 off 24 balls in her invaluable first-wicket partnership of 78 runs in the first ten overs of the Proteas Women’s innings.
Photo 3 Caption: Chloé Tryon produced the home team’s best bowling figures, claiming the wickets of both Ireland openers in a single over to stun the visitors’ reply.
