SA-W vs IRE-W 2nd ODI Match Preview: Team Analysis, Pitch Report, Playing XI & Prediction | Ireland Women’s tour of South Africa 2025

SA-W vs IRE-W 2nd ODI 2025 Match Preview: The South Africa women’s team will take on the Ireland women’s team in the second ODI of the Ireland Women’s tour of South Africa 2025 series at Saint George’s Park, Gqeberha, on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.

The ODI series tour began on Saturday in East London with some unexpected twists and turns, as South Africa Women comfortably defeated Ireland Women. The home side chased down the target with seven wickets and 61 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Ireland Women won the toss in the first ODI and competed well for much of their innings, but failed to convert their solid start into a match-winning total. If Gaby Lewis’s team is to stay in the series, they will need to make significant improvements in both their batting and bowling departments.

South Africa Women have won all three of their matches so far on this tour of Ireland and will be confident of continuing their dominance with another victory in this match.

In this article, we look at the SA-W vs IRE-W match preview, pitch report, predictions and statistics.

Match Details – SA-W vs IRE-W 2nd ODI

SA-W vs IRE-W Team Preview & Analysis

South Africa Women

Laura Wolvaardt will be pleased with her team’s overall performance in the first match, but she will be looking for improvements in all departments in this game.

South Africa conceded over 200 runs for just seven wickets in the first ODI, and the bowling department will be keen to improve on that. In the bowling attack, Ellis-Marie Marks, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Tumi Sekhukhune are expected to pose the biggest threat.

In the batting department, Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits form a strong opening partnership, while Sune Luus and Mieke Smit impressed with unbeaten half-centuries in the first match.

Key Players from the Previous Match

Batters:

• Sune Luus – 66 (72)
• Miane Smit – 56 (70)
• Laura Wolvaardt – 31 (24)

Bowlers:

• Nonkululeko Mlaba – 3/43
• Tumi Sekhukhune – 2/32
• Miane Smit – 1/14

South Africa Women’s Predicted Playing XI

Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus, Miane Smit, Dane van Niekerk, Karabo Meso (wk), Eliz-Mari Marx, Tumi Sekhukhune, Ayanda Hlubi, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Ireland Women

Despite the defeat in the first ODI, the Ireland women’s team has shown signs of competitiveness and will be looking to build on those positives in this match.

Opener Sarah Forbes anchored the innings with 42 runs, but she will need to improve her strike rate to ease the pressure on the middle order. The team’s top order is strong with Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter, while Orla Prendergast and Laura Delany have also made promising starts.

In the bowling department, Ireland will rely heavily on Orla Prendergast and Cara Murray to put pressure on the South African batting order.

Key Players from the Previous Match

Batters:

• Sarah Forbes – 42 (71)
• Rebecca Stokell – 39 (48)
• Amy Hunter – 32 (50)

Bowlers:

• Cara Murray – 2/34
• Orla Prendergast – 1/31
• Laura Delany – 0/18

Ireland Women’s Predicted Playing XI

Sarah Forbes, Gaby Lewis (c), Amy Hunter (wk), Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell, Arlene Kelly, Cara Murray, Georgina Dempsey, Lara McBride

SA-W vs IRE-W Pitch Report – Saint George’s Park, Gqeberha

St George’s Park is known for being a lively and entertaining venue. The surface generally supports batting, and a par first-innings total is expected to be around 280 runs.

• Pitch Type: Batting-friendly

• Spinners come into play later in the innings

• Outfield is quick

Toss Prediction:
Both captains are likely to bat first to apply scoreboard pressure.

SA-W vs IRE-W Weather Forecast (East London, December 13)

• Temperature: Low to mid-20s °C

• Conditions: Overcast throughout the day

• Rain: No interruptions expected

• Humidity: High

Ideal conditions for a full 50-over contest

SA-W vs IRE-W 2nd ODI Win Prediction

There is quality in both squads, but South Africa Women possess greater depth, experience, and home advantage. Their batting lineup looks stronger, and their bowling attack has more variety.

Winning Probability

• South Africa Women: 80%

• Ireland Women: 20%

Prediction:

South Africa Women to win the 2nd ODI