Six-try Ireland beat South Africa in Cape Town

Ireland score six tries to beat South Africa in the first of two WXV Global Series meetings in Cape Town. Ireland captain Erin King scored a second-half try having been yellow carded earlier in the game Ireland scored six tries to mark their first trip to South Africa with victory over the Springboks in the first of two WXV Global Series meetings in Cape Town. Aoife Dalton, Linda Djougang and Jane Clohessy crossed to give Ireland a slender half-time lead at the end of a ding-dong opening period in which Aseza Hele, Vainah Ubisi and Maria Tshiremba scored for the hosts. Beibhinn Parsons and captain Erin King – who was sin-binned in the first half for a high tackle – extended Ireland's lead in the second half before Lerato Makua hit back for the Springboks.

But Djougang's second try put the result beyond doubt before Alichia Arries' late consolation score for the home side. Ireland and South Africa's only previous meeting was a 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup match in Canada, which the Irish won 37-0. But it was clear from the opening exchanges in Cape Town that Saturday's contest would be a much closer encounter as the sides shared six tries in an entertaining first half, with Irish fly-half Dannah O'Brien's precision from the kicking tee proving the difference.