Wolvaardt, Luus tons seal series

South Africa clinched the second ODI and the three-match series with a 74-run win at St George's Park, Gqeberha. After setting a massive 376-run target, South Africa held Ireland at bay despite a spirited chase.

Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus were central to South Africa's batting efforts, both striking centuries in a 179-run partnership that formed the backbone of the innings. Wolvaardt was watchful early but accelerated after losing opening partner Tazim Brits in the sixth over, driving much of the scoring in the PowerPlay as South Africa reached 52/1 in the first 10 overs.

Lara Goodall's dismissal in the 11th over brought Luus to the crease, beginning their 155-ball stand. Wolvaardt brought up her century in the 32nd over before falling in the 37th to Aimee Maguire. Ireland failed to regain momentum as Luus and Dane van Niekerk added 117 runs. Luus reached her century in the 47th over, while Van Niekerk powered a 47-ball 88 to boost the total.

Ireland's chase stumbled early with Sarah Forbes out in the first over, but Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter steadied the innings with a 77-run partnership. After Lewis fell in the 14th over, Hunter and Orla Prendergast added 93 runs. South Africa struck twice in successive overs to dismiss Hunter and Laura Delany, draining Ireland's momentum.

Prendergast and Leah Paul kept Ireland afloat with an 80-run stand, but Paul's dismissal in the 40th over triggered a collapse from 251/4 to 301 all out in 47.5 overs. Prendergast fell three short of a century as Ireland capitulated. Leah Jones led South Africa's bowlers with 3-48 in 6.5 overs.

Brief Scores: South Africa Women 375/6 (Laura Wolvaardt 124, Sune Luus 114; Jane Maguire 3-75) beat Ireland Women 301 all out (Orla Prendergast 97, Amy Hunter 64; Leah Jones 3-48) by 74 runs.