Faye Tunnicliffe led the Proteas Women to a 65-run victory over Ireland in the second T20I at Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday.

The win secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead for the hosts, with one match remaining.

The top-order batter struck seven fours in her 51 off 42 deliveries as South Africa posted 201-5 from their 20 overs.

With the ball, the Proteas Women restricted Ireland to 136-3, despite an unbeaten 51* off 43 balls from Orla Prendergast (four fours, one six). Chloé Tryon led the attack with figures of 2-24.

After winning the toss, the Proteas Women elected to bat. Openers Tunnicliffe and Suné Luus (37) survived early nerves to raise a half-century stand, reaching 51-0 at the end of the powerplay.

The pair continued to assert themselves before Aimee Maguire (3-43) struck in the 10th over, removing Luus with the score on 78-1.

Tunnicliffe soon reached her maiden international fifty but was trapped lbw by Maguire shortly afterwards, leaving the Proteas 116-2 in the 14th over.

Maguire then claimed the key wicket of Laura Wolvaardt (22), finding the edge to reduce South Africa to 124-3.

The experienced partnership of Dané van Niekerk (41) and Marizanne Kapp (16) added 47 for the fourth wicket to lift the innings to 171-3 before Van Niekerk fell lbw to Arlene Kelly (1-40).

Prendergast (1-29) dismissed Kapp late on, but the Proteas closed on 202-5.

Ireland made a solid start in reply, with Amy Hunter (14) and captain Gaby Lewis (19) taking them to 33-0 in the powerplay.

Tryon then removed both openers in the seventh over to leave Ireland 35-2.

Prendergast and Leah Paul (40) rebuilt, guiding their side to 57-2 at the halfway mark before producing a 76-run partnership. Nonkululeko Mlaba ended the stand by bowling Paul in the 17th over with Ireland on 111-3.

Despite Prendergast’s valiant half-century, Ireland finished on 136-3, well short of South Africa’s target.

The third and final T20I will take place on Wednesday at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images