SA-W vs IRE-W, Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up: Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp shine in Proteas’ win over Ireland

The South African cricket team beat Ireland by 15 runs (DLS method) in their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match in Loughborough, England, on Saturday.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a fluent 65 off 38 as world No. 5 South Africa posted 136/8 in a rain-curtailed 18-over cricket match. Arlene Kelly was the standout bowler for the ninth-ranked Ireland with figures of 3/29.

Defending a revised target of 136, the Proteas’ bowlers struck at regular intervals to bundle out Ireland for 120 in 17.4 overs, with Marizanne Kapp leading the way with 4/24.

After Ireland opted to field first, the Proteas Women made a cautious start through Wolvaardt and Sune Luus. The pair added 32 runs for the opening wicket before Kelly dismissed Luus for 17 in the fifth over.

Wolvaardt, however, anchored the innings from one end. The South African skipper struck seven fours and three sixes during her aggressive knock and shared a valuable 54-run stand with Annerie Dercksen for the third wicket.

At 109/2 after 13 overs, South Africa looked set for a total in excess of 150 before Ireland staged a late comeback.

Cara Murray removed both Dercksen and Wolvaardt in the 14th over to trigger a collapse as the Proteas lost six wickets for just 27 runs in the final five overs.

Ireland’s chase also began poorly after Kapp removed Alana Dalzell in the opening over before dismissing Amy Hunter in the third to leave them reeling at 10/2.

Rebecca Stokell counterattacked with 19 off 14 balls while Leah Paul top-scored with 29, but South Africa’s experienced attack never allowed Ireland to build sustained momentum.

Ireland were reduced to 82/6 in the 13th over and despite late resistance from Arlene Kelly, the Proteas closed out the contest comfortably with support from Shabnim Ismail, Nadine de Klerk and Nonkululeko Mlaba.

The South African women's cricket team will face defending champions New Zealand in their next T20 World Cup warm-up fixture on Tuesday. Live cricket scores will be available on Olympics.com.

South Africa kick off their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against record six-time winners Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester on June 13.

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