Laura Wolvaardt, Suné Luus and Dané van Niekerk starred with the bat as the Proteas Women secured a 74-run victory over Ireland in the second ODI at St George’s Park on Tuesday to take an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series.

Wolvaardt registered her fourth century of the year, striking 19 fours on her way to 124 off 111 balls, while Luus recorded a career-best 114 off 113 deliveries (13 fours, one six). Van Niekerk then added a rapid 88 off just 47 balls, including 13 fours and three sixes, as South Africa posted their highest-ever ODI total of 375-6.

Ireland mounted a spirited chase, led by all-rounder Orla Prendergast’s 97 off 86 balls (10 fours, two sixes) and Amy Hunter’s 64 off 66 balls (six fours, one six), before the visitors were bowled out for 301 in the 48th over. Debutant Leah Jones claimed leading figures of 3-48 in 6.5 overs.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, the hosts made a measured start against disciplined Irish bowling, which brought the early dismissal of opener Tazmin Brits (six), caught off Jane Maguire (3-75). Ireland struck again in the 11th over when Aimee Maguire (2-69) removed Lara Goodall (12), leaving South Africa on 59-2.

With two early wickets down, Wolvaardt and the in-form Luus took control, adding a superb 179-run partnership for the third wicket. Both batters reached their half-centuries, with Wolvaardt going on to bring up her 12th ODI century and pass 1,000 runs for the year.

The stand was broken in the 37th over when Wolvaardt was caught in the deep off A. Maguire, but the momentum remained firmly with the hosts. Luus was joined by the experienced Van Niekerk and the pair dominated the closing stages. Luus raised her second ODI hundred before Van Niekerk followed with a blistering half-century.

Despite late wickets from Arlene Kelly (1-59) and Jane Maguire, South Africa finished strongly on 375-6 from their 50 overs.

Ireland’s reply began poorly when opener Sarah Forbes was dismissed for a duck by Eliz-Mari Marx (1-53) in the first over. Captain Gaby Lewis (45) and Hunter then rebuilt with a 77-run second-wicket stand before Nondumiso Shangase (2-52) made the breakthrough.

Hunter and Prendergast added a vital 93 runs for the third wicket, with both bringing up well-earned half-centuries. Shangase struck again to trap Hunter lbw, before Jones removed Laura Delany (one), leaving Ireland 171-4 in the 31st over.

Another partnership between Prendergast and Leah Paul (36) kept Ireland in contention, taking the score to 251-4 by the 40th over. However, a late collapse followed as Miané Smit (2-40) dismissed both Prendergast and Paul. Sekhukhune (1-54), Jones and Luus (1-52) then combined to wrap up the innings with 13 balls to spare.

The third and final ODI will be played on Friday at the Wanderers.

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images