24 October 2026
Ireland won an enthralling first of two WXV Global Series Tests against South Africa by 40-27 (half-time 21-17) on a sunny and breezy afternoon at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
Ireland's composure and experience, coupled with their strong and direct running, as well as playing almost 60% of the Test in South Africa's half, were probably the main differences between the sides.
The Bok Women will also be the first to admit that they were guilty of making too many unforced errors at crucial stages of the game, which robbed them of momentum, as well as lapses in defence.
While they certainly showed glimpses of their more expansive game plan, playing great rugby in the process, the South Africans' lack of forward dominance was probably also a reason for the defeat.
Playing with a stiff breeze in their backs, Ireland scored the first try in the eighth minute. The South Africans were guilty of making too many mistakes in their own half, which allowed Ireland to gain momentum and, after several phases, the SA defence opened up just enough of a gap for Aoife Dalton to crash over for the first points of the game.
A few minutes later, Ireland fluffed another great opportunity with a knock-on on the South African tryline, but the Bok Women were slowly starting to find their feet. They also missed out on a great attacking opportunity when a lineout throw on the Irish 5m-line was not straight, while Maceala Samboya also intercepted with no one in front of them.
Two minutes later though, the Bok Women showed what they can do when they spread the ball wide to the left where a storming Aseza Hele was waiting on the left wing, storming in from 30m out for a superb try.
When Ireland captain Erin King was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle in the 24th minute, the Bok Women shifted gears and took the lead when Vainah Ubisi crashed over after a very patient build-up, first spreading the ball wide before taking route one in the Irish 22. Jakkie Cilliers added the extras, and with just over 10 minutes to go in the first half, South Africa led 12-7.
The lead changed hands three more times in the half, first when Linda Djougang shrugged off a few tackles to crash over for Ireland's second try, before Maria Tshiremba went over in the left corner after another good build-up by the Bok Women.
A minute after the half-time hooter sounded, Jane Clohessy scored Ireland's third try, with the four-point difference at the break courtesy of Dannah O'Brien's flawless kicking at goal.
Ireland stretched their lead to 26-17 two minutes into the second half when Beibhinn Parsons was put away in space up the right flank to score in the corner. A new Bok Women front row and Logan Welman at No 8 were introduced in the 49th minute, which saw Yonela Ngxingolo earn her 50th Test cap, but the Irish kept up the pressure.
At this stage, the visitors were playing most of the rugby in the South Africans' half, and it wasn't surprising when King went over in the 52nd minute for a converted try that made it 33-17 to Ireland.
The spirit of the 3709-strong remained strong though, and they never let up supporting their team. The Bok Women must have felt that, and a few minutes after being held up over the tryline, Lerato Makua crashed over - with Eve Higgins in the sin-bin for the visitors - to give them some hope with 12 minutes left on the clock.
Djougang's second try, a 74th-minute pick-and-drive effort, all but sealed the deal for the visitors, with O'Brien's fifth conversion opening an 18-point gap on the scoreboard.
Alichia Arries scored a late consolation try for the South Africans, who will go back to the drawing board for next Saturday's second Test against the same opponent at the same venue.
Scorers:
Springbok Women: Tries: Aseza Hele, Vainah Ubisi, Maria Tshiremba, Lerato Makua, Alichia Arries. Conversion: Jakkie Cilliers.
Ireland: Tries: Aoife Dalton, Linda Djougang (2), Jane Clohessy, Beibhinn Parsons, Erin King, Aoibheann Reilly. Conversions: Dannah O'Brien (5).
Teams:
Springbok Women: 15 Jakkie Cilliers, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Maria Tshiremba, 10 Byrhandre Dolf, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Catha Jacobs; 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 2 Anushka Groenewald, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie. Replacements: 16 Lindelwa Gwala, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Thandile Mazwi, 19 Danelle Lochner, 20 Logan Welman, 21 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 22 Anacadia Minnaar, 23 Mary Zulu.
Ireland: 15 Stacey Flood, 14 Béibhinn Parsons, 13 Anna McGann, 12 Aoife Dalton, 11 Robyn O’Connor, 10 Dannah O’Brien, 9 Emily Lane, 8 Brittany Hogan, 7 Erin King (c), 6 Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan, 5 Dorothy Wall, 4 Jane Clohessy, 3 Eilís Cahill, 2 Neve Jones, 1 Linda Djougang. Replacements: 16 Beth Buttimer, 17 Niamh O’Dowd, 18 Sadhbh McGrath, 19 Kate Jordan, 20 Grace Moore, 21 Jemima Adams Verling, 22 Aoibheann Reilly, 23 Eve Higgins.