After a stellar summer of 2025, the Ireland Women arrive in South Africa to kick off their busy winter and begin with their toughest assignment of the year - against the T20 and ODI World Cup runners-up, South Africa, in their backyard.

Fresh from a landmark series win over Pakistan and a flawless run through the European Regional Qualifier winning all six games, Gaby Lewis’s side now step into a different kind of territory against one of the best sides in the world.

With three T20Is and three ODIs on the cards, this tour offers Ireland a crucial test ahead of the Global Qualifier. 

Ireland’s white-ball form in 2025 has been defined by composure. After failing to qualify for the 2025 Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, they displayed their character with multi-format wins against Zimbabwe and a T20I series victory against Pakistan.

The European Qualifier confirmed their status as standard-bearers in the region, sweeping aside opponents with clinical precision, winning all six games while giving ample opportunity to youngsters and experienced names.

South Africa, however, presents a very different challenge. They are seasoned campaigners in crunch ICC fixtures, and their home conditions will challenge Ireland’s physical and mental limits, as no tour to South Africa is ever easy.

Head to Head

The hosts lead 11-2 across 13 encounters in T20Is, but the silver lining for Ireland is that both of their victories have come in the last five meetings, highlighting the progress the Irish side has made recently.

Proteas story of domination is similar in ODIs with South Africa leading 18 to Ireland's 1 across 20 encounters with one game finishing with no result.

Ireland are all set to begin their T20I series against South Africa on Friday in Cape Town at 12:00 PM GMT. 

The shortest format is where Ireland look to be at their strongest, they will aim to showcase their fearless batting and improved depth with the ball as the build up to the ICC Global Qualifier begins.

Players to watch

For Ireland, Gaby Lewis remains the fulcrum at the top. As captain and senior batter, her ability to anchor while maintaining a scoring tempo will be vital in neutralising the new ball.

Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast give Ireland genuine firepower, with Hunter dictating games at the top order with her clean striking down the ground and Prendergast who is currently ranked in the top 10 for all-rounders will be crucial if Ireland are to upset the hosts, she enjoyed a stellar series and European Qualifiers campaign, which saw her awarded ICC Player of the Month for August.

Laura Delany and Arlene Kelly will lead the bowling department and will be tasked with restricting South Africa, who can take away the game at any instant. 

For South Africa, captain Laura Wolvaardt remains the prized wicket. Containing her will set the tone for Ireland, Wolvaardt broke the record of the most runs in a single edition of the ICC Women's World Cup in 2025, finishing as the top scorer with 571 runs.

The all-round threat of Marizanne Kapp in T20Is is a huge reason why South Africa remain one of the most well-rounded sides in the format. Kapp is not available for the ODI series which sees a plethora of youngsters who will aim to gain experience against an international side.

Coming on the back of a sterling ODI World Cup, Nadine de Klerk will be eyeing the T20I series to stamp her authority. The Ireland bowlers will have to bring their A game against arguably the best big-hitting allrounder currently in world cricket.

If Ireland can stitch together the performances shown against Pakistan with the ruthlessness of their European Qualifier campaign, this tour could become a pivotal chapter in their rise. The young Irish side have the chance to make a statement that they belong among the world’s best.

T20Is

5 December - South Africa Women vs Ireland Women, 1st T20I, Cape Town

7 December - South Africa Women vs Ireland Women, 2nd T20I, Paarl

10 December - South Africa Women vs Ireland Women, 3rd T20I, Benoni

ODIs

13 December - South Africa Women vs Ireland Women, 1st ODI, East London

16 December - South Africa Women vs Ireland Women, 2nd ODI, Johannesburg 

19 December - South Africa Women vs Ireland Women, 3rd ODI, Johannesburg

Ireland T20I Squad

Gaby Lewis (C), Amy Hunter, Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell

South Africa T20I Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (C), Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk.

Ireland ODI Squad

⁠Gaby Lewis (C), Amy Hunter, Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Sarah Forbes, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell

South Africa ODI Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Leah Jones, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miane Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk.