Tunnicliffe, van Niekerk star as South Africa seal T20I series

South Africa sealed the three-match T20I series with a 65-run win in the second T20I at Boland Park, Paarl. Faye Tunnicliffe's fifty combined with striking by Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon pushed South Africa to 201/5 before they contained Ireland to 136/3.

Opting to bat, South Africa's openers gave a strong start, racing to 51/0 in the PowerPlay. Sune Luus fell in the 10th over, but a 38-run stand between Tunnicliffe and Laura Wolvaardt kept momentum before a 47-run partnership between van Niekerk and Kapp powered a strong finish. Aimee Maguire was the pick of the Irish bowlers with 3-43.

In response, Ireland started slowly, managing 31 runs in the PowerPlay. Tryon dismissed both openers in her first over. Orla Prendergast and Leah Paul shared a 76-run stand but couldn't keep up with the required rate. Paul fell in the 17th over as Ireland finished 65 runs short.

Brief Scores: South Africa 201/5 (Faye Tunnicliffe 51, Dane van Niekerk 41; Aimee Maguire 3-43) beat Ireland 136/3 (Orla Prendergast 51*, Leah Paul 40; Chloe Tryon 2-24) by 65 runs.