The match was reduced to 47 overs per side due to rain, but that did little to dull the spectacle as a competitive contest still unfolded on the Buffalo Park strip. Ireland won the toss and opted to bat first, posting a respectable 209/7 from their 47 overs. 

Rebecca Stokell led the charge with a top score of 39, while wicketkeeper Amy Hunter contributed 32 and Orla Prendergast added a useful 28 in the middle order.

Suné Luus. Photo: CSA

Spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was the standout with the ball for South Africa, finishing with impressive figures of 3/43 from her full quota of 10 overs. Tumi Sekhukhune chipped in with 2/32 in eight overs, while Smit (1/14 in four) and Luus (1/34 in eight) also made telling contributions.

South Africa came out firing in the run chase, with captain Laura Wolvaardt in imperious touch early on. She cracked six fours on her way to a brisk 31 from just 24 balls before being caught by Cara Murray off Prendergast’s bowling, with the score racing to 38/1 after five overs.

Lara Goodall added 20 off 27 deliveries, while Tazmin Brits kept the momentum going with a fluent 27 from 30 balls. However, it was the calm and measured partnership between Luus and Bloemfontein-born-and-bred Smit that truly settled the innings.

The experienced Luus and the young Smit combined beautifully, batting with maturity beyond the situation to guide the Proteas safely to victory in just 36.5 overs. Smit brought up her maiden international half-century, finishing on 56 not out from 70 balls, while Luus registered her 18th ODI fifty with a polished 66* off 72 deliveries.

Murray was Ireland’s most effective bowler, claiming 2/34 in six overs, while Prendergast returned figures of 1/31 from six.

For Smit, the innings carried extra significance. Playing in just her sixth Women’s ODI, it marked her first appearance for South Africa on home soil – made all the more special with her family in the stands.

Earlier in the year, Miané Smit scored 59* in the 3rd T20 International against the West Indies at Cave Hill. Photo: Cricinfo

“It meant a lot to me – I loved every second of playing again for the Proteas,” said the former Oranje Meisies headgirl from Bloemfontein.

“It was my first home game, my parents were here, my brothers and everyone was supporting me, and I’m just so grateful for the opportunity. Praise the Lord.”

Smit was quick to credit Luus for playing a key role in the match-winning stand, highlighting the senior all-rounder’s calming influence at the crease.

“She played a massive role,” said the 20-year-old Smit. “When I came in, I was really numb for the first 15 or 20 balls, and she helped keep me calm.

“We worked hard for that partnership, built it in phases, and she’s one of my best friends in the team, so sharing a 100-run stand with her was really special.”

The second ODI between South Africa and Ireland will be played on Tuesday at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs