SA-W vs IRE-W 2025: Laura Wolvaardt’s Proteas are not taking Irishwomen lightly

South Africa Women captain Laura Wolvaardt has praised the Ireland squad and the competition they pose to the Proteas ahead of the home series between them, starting on Friday, December 5 with the first T20I at the Newlands in Cape Town.

Wolvaardt spoke on the positive brand of cricket South Africa have been playing since the past several months. Speaking on reaching the final of three separate global tournaments since 2023, she further noted that the side will be aiming at delivering the goods in the summit clash the next time her team gets to that stage. 

“It’s crazy that it’s so soon. It feels like we’ve just come off the World Cup and there’s another one in a few months’ time. We’ve been playing some good cricket. Obviously, that final hurdle is still in front of us, three in a row. I think we’re doing a lot of things right to keep making those finals. But yeah, I think just playing a good game once we reach that stage again would be ideal,” stated Wolvaardt, as quoted by Cricket South Africa.

Wolvaardt offered admiration for Ireland and even name-dropped a couple of players from their setup and the amount of quality they possessed. The 26-year-old conceded that the hosts will have to apply themselves well against an opposition of the pedigree of Ireland.

“They’re a good side. They have a lot of really good individual players. Gaby Lewis has sort of played around the world. I’ve played a bit with Orla Prendergast as well. She’s a really good cricketer. Players like that can sort of take the game away from you. We’ll have to be spot-on with our plans against some of those big players. It looks like they’re a young side playing quite a fearless brand of cricket with the footage that I’ve seen,” she added.

All six matches between South Africa and Ireland will take place at different venues. The T20Is will conclude on December 10. There will be a couple of full days each to prepare for each of the 50-over matches, set to take place in East London, Gqeberha, and Johannesburg.

South Africa Women T20I and ODI Squads

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

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