The Proteas women produced a stellar bowling effort to restrict Ireland in the second T20 International (T20I) on Monday at the Pembroke Cricket Club in Dublin.
The Proteas need 107 runs to win and level the three-match T20 series after Ireland won last week's opening T20 by 10 runs.
After they were asked to field first, South Africa struck early courtesy of fast bowler Shabnim Ismail (1/13), who trapped opener Leah Paul LBW for nine off 15 balls.
Ireland captain Gaby Lewis, who scored a match-winning 52 in the first T20, continued to tick things over as she top-scored 31 off 29 fours (hitting three fours and a six) before she was caught by Ismail off the bowling of Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/24).
All-rounder Nadine de Klerk bowled Shauna Kavanagh (3) and shortly thereafter, pacer Tumi Sekhukhune got Arlene Kelly (6) thanks to an excellent catch from Ismail.
Irish top-order batter Mary Waldron contributed a handy 24 off 31 balls but the home side continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.
Sekhukhune picked up her second as she caught and bowled Sophie MacMahon for four. The following over, Rachel Delaney (6) was caught by Sekhukhune at silly mid-off, handing De Klerk her second wicket.
Ireland finally got over the 100-mark in the final over as they could only manage 106/7.
Scores in brief:
Ireland 106/7 in 20 overs (Lewis 31, Waldron 24, Sekhukhune 2/17, De Klerk 2/26)
South Africa need 107 runs to win (at a required run-rate of 5.30)
Toss: Ireland
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