South Africa Women secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over Ireland in the first One-Day International at East London on Saturday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Coming off a dominant T20 series win, the Proteas maintained their form, chasing down the target with comfort despite a spirited effort from the Irish middle order.
Put in to bat, Ireland posted a respectable total of 209-7. Opener Sarah Forbes provided stability with a determined 42 off 71 balls, constructing useful partnerships of 45 and 48 with Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter respectively.
The South African bowlers, however, kept the run rate under control throughout the innings. Spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of the attack, claiming figures of 3-43, while Tumi Sekhukhune chipped in with a tidy 2-32 to stifle the visitors.
Ireland’s innings found late momentum thanks to Rebecca Stokell and Laura Delany. Delany contributed a quickfire 21 off 18 balls, while Stokell remained unbeaten on 39 off 48, helping the tourists take 10 runs off the final over to push their total past 200. Despite this late flurry, the total proved insufficient against the hosts' batting depth on a surface that settled down as the day progressed.
South Africa's chase was anchored by Sune Luus, who top-scored with an unbeaten 66. Captain Laura Wolvaardt set the tone early with a brisk 31 before falling, and the hosts experienced a brief stutter when Irish leg-spinner Cara Murray picked up two wickets in the space of six deliveries. However, Luus combined with Miane Smit, 56 not out, to stabilize the innings, ensuring there were no further alarms for the home side.
The Proteas reached the target in the 37th over, finishing on 211-3 to win with 10 overs to spare. "The first goal was really nice... We’re in a good place at the moment," said Luus regarding the team's performance. The sides will now travel to Gqeberha for the second ODI on Tuesday, before the series concludes in Johannesburg on Friday.