Winning the toss and opting to bat, South Africa powered their way to an imposing 201/5 in their 20 overs, taking an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series. The star of the show was Faye Tunnicliffe, whose superb 51 anchored the innings, while Dané van Niekerk lit up the afternoon with a blistering 41.

Tunnicliffe, playing just her 14th T20 international, celebrated her maiden half-century in style – striking seven boundaries in an innings that lasted 42 balls before she was trapped LBW by Aimee Maguire. 

Van Niekerk, meanwhile, was in full destructive mode, smashing three fours and three sixes in a thrilling 19-ball cameo. Suné Luus added a lively 37 off 24, and captain Laura Wolvaardt contributed a neat 22 from 16.

For Ireland, Maguire was the standout with the ball, taking 3/43 from her four overs, while Orla Prendergast and Arlene Kelly picked up a wicket apiece.

In reply, Ireland could only manage 136/3 in their 20 overs. Prendergast backed up her bowling with a determined 51, and Leah Paul added a well-constructed 40, but the visitors never truly threatened the Proteas’ total. South Africa’s bowlers kept a tight leash on the scoring, with Chloe Tryon leading the way with 2/24 in four overs and Nonkululeko Mlaba chipping in with 1/25 from her three.

After the match, Tunnicliffe said surviving an early scare helped her settle and build towards her milestone knock.

“Yeah, definitely. I felt a lot more free after that. There’s always a bit of luck involved in cricket, and I was lucky enough that it went my way. My nerves definitely settled after that.”

Dané van Niekerk. Photo: Cricinfo

“It was really special – my goal has always been to contribute meaningfully to the team, and I’m glad Sue and I could lay a solid foundation today. The middle order was insane – they came in and just whacked it all over. I’m happy with my fifty, and hopefully there’s more to come, but the main thing is contributing.”

Having played much of her domestic cricket at Boland Park, there was extra sentiment in reaching her maiden fifty on familiar turf.

“I love the Boland crowd – I’ve played a lot of cricket here for Boland, so it almost felt like a home crowd. They were incredible; they brought the vibes, and their support is always unmatched.”

The Proteas will look to complete a clean sweep when the third and final T20 is played on Wednesday at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg