Ireland got their WXV Global Series against South Africa off to a storming start with a six-try win at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town. I
On a historic day for the women’s national team, who were playing their first-ever international on South African soil, and just their second-ever game against the same opposition, Scott Bemand’s side sealed an impressive and hard-fought win.
Veteran tighthead Linda Djougang bagged a brace, with Aoife Dalton, Jane Clohessy, BÊibhinn Parsons and Erin King – who was sin-binned during a feisty first half – also on the scoresheet in just the second Test match between the two nations and the first in 20 years.
Guinness Women’s Six Nations Championship Round 3, Ireland’s Erin King. Pic: INPHO
‘We’re delighted with the win. I think it was a really tough battle. South Africa definitely brought it to us,’ King, the Ireland skipper, reflected after the win.
‘We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy challenge. I’m really proud of the Irish team. We really stuck to it.’
The visitors made a bright start with Dalton dotting down after just eight minutes, with Dannah O’Brian firing over the conversion, but South Africa would respond with an excellent try from No. 8 Aseza Hele. King was then yellow-carded for a high tackle. And the hosts made full advantage of the extra player with Vainah Ubisi crossing to put her side into a 12-5 lead.
Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile
Linda barged her way over for the first of her two tries before South Africa wing Maria Tshiremba responded with a tidy finish in the right corner. Ireland had the final say of the half when Clohessy finished from close range, before O’Brien, who had a brilliant day with the boot, nudged her side into a 21-17 lead at the break.
Bemand’s side would pull away after the break with Parsons turning on the afterburners for a fine score. The momentum was with Ireland now, and soon King was racing onto a Niamh O’Dowd offload for another quickfire try.
Lerato Makua breached the Irish line to narrow the gap after replacement midfielder Eve Higgins was sent to the sin bin.
24 October 2026; Dorothy Wall of Ireland is tackled by Shiniqwa Lamprecht of South Africa during the WXV Global Series match between South Africa and Ireland at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile
But Ireland, who were feeling the pressure at that point, rallied with seven minutes of the contest remaining as Linda pounced for her second try.
Wing Alichia Arries nipped in for a South African consolation at the death, but this was Ireland’s day.
The sides will meet again at the same venue next Saturday.