South Africa: 201-5 20 Overs

Faye Tunnicliffe 51 (42) Dane van Niekerk 41 (28); Aimee Maguire 3-43

Ireland: 136-3 20 Overs
Orla Prendergast 51* (43) Leah Paul 40 (29); Chloe Tryon 2-24

South Africa won by 65 runs

The South African batting effort saw them seal an unassailable 2-0 series lead in Paarl. An improved showing from Ireland, after their 105-run drubbing in Cape Town, saw the margin of defeat reduce to 65 runs, courtesy a solid half-century by Orla Prendergast.

South Africa elected to bat and openers Faye Tunnicliffe and Sune Luus laid a strong platform with a 78-run stand for the middle order to build on.

The introduction of Aimee Maguire somewhat altered the momentum of the innings, with the left-arm off-spinner striking thrice to remove both set batters - Luus (37), Tunnicliffe (51) and the prized wicket of Laura Wolvaardt (22) with figures of 3-43. 

After the mini wobble, South Africa's middle order brought their innings back on track as Dane van Niekerk (41) orchestrated a 47-run partnership with Marizanne Kapp (16) for the fourth wicket. A few lusty blows from Chloe Tryon powered the hosts to a competitive 201-5. 

Prendergast finished with the most economical bowling with figures of 1-29 in four overs, she also picked up the wicket of Kapp, single handedly saving what could have been another 15-20 runs for the hosts.

Ireland's reply began with captain Gaby Lewis 19 (22) and Amy Hunter 14 (18) putting up a 34-run partnership for the first wicket before Tryon dismissed the openers in the sixth over. 

Prendergast and Leah Paul subsequently stacked up 76-run partnership for the third wicket in 56 balls, displaying aggressive intent. Prendergast finished unbeaten on 51* from 43 balls, showing why she is one of the best in the world with her tenth T20I half-century. Paul hit six boundaries en route 40 from 29 balls with a strike rate of 137.93, however, the lack of firepower and big hits meants it was never going to be enough to scale Proteas' 201, eventually falling short by 65 runs.

South Africa's unassailable 2-0 series advantage renders the third T20I as a fight for pride. Yet Ireland's improved performance suggests they have the potential to surprise the hosts, should they execute their plans well and aim to be more fearless with the bat, as the squad continues to build their rhythm ahead of the upcoming tournaments.