WXV Global Series

South Africa (17) 27

Tries: Hele, Ubisi, Tshiremba, Makua, Arries Con: Cilliers

Ireland (21) 40

Tries: Dalton, Djougang 2, Clohessy, Parsons, King Cons: O’Brien 5

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.

The sides meet again at Athlone Stadium on 31 October.

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.

While Ireland were guilty of several handling errors, their line speed and multi-phase attack proved effective weapons against a spirited Springbok outfit.

Ireland struck first after seven minutes when Dalton showed impressive strength to burrow over the line from close range after Robyn O’Connor and Clohessy carries drove the visitors close to the posts.

But South Africa responded superbly and scored the pick of the tries when number eight Hele rampaged through the Irish defence for a fine individual score, with Ireland’s early momentum further dented when King was sin-binned for a high tackle.

With King off the field, Ubisi scored to give South Africa the lead after 27 minutes before Djougang crashed her way over under the posts.

In an end-to-end conclusion to the half, winger Tshiremba thought she had given her side a half-time lead when she dotted down in the corner, but impressive second row Clohessy’s effort – converted by O’Brien – was enough to edge the Irish in front.

Having been stunned by the United States’ second-half comeback to lose in Dublin last month, Ireland quickly stretched their lead when scrum-half Emily Lane’s neat offload sent prolific winger Parsons scampering through for her 26th international try within 90 seconds of the restart.

King then scored to atone for first-half indiscretion and when replacement scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly touched down, it appeared Ireland were home and hosed.

However, the try was ruled out for a knock-on by Brittany Hogan, and when Makua finished impressively after Ireland replacement centre Eve Higgins’ yellow card, the Springboks dreamed of a late fightback with 12 minutes left.

But Djougang – again deployed as a loose-head prop having spent much of her career at tight-head – crossed for her second try to ensure an Irish win on South African soil before Arries’ consolation effort two minutes from time.

Ireland, who lost their WXV opener to United States before beating Japan, will aim to close out the campaign with a third win from four games when they face the Springboks in Cape Town again on 31 October (13:00 GMT).

Ireland: Stacey Flood; Beibhinn Parsons, Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Robyn O’Connor; Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Eilis Cahill, Jane Clohessy, Dorothy Wall, Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan, Erin King (capt), Brittany Hogan.

Replacements: Beth Buttimer, Niamh O’Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Kate Jordan, Grace Moore, Jemima Adams Verling, Aoibheann Reilly, Eve Higgins.

Yellow cards: King (23), Higgins (67)

South Africa: Jakkie Cilliers; Alichia Arries, Maceala Samboya, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Maria Tshiremba; Byrhandre Dolf, Unam Tose; Sanelisiwe Charlie, Anushka Groenewald, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Vainah Ubisi, Catha Jacobs, Sizophila Solontsi (capt), Lerato Makua, Aseza Hele.

Replacements: Lindelwa Gwala, Yonela Ngxingolo, Thandile Mazwi, Danelle Lochner, Logan Welman, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Anacadia Minnaar, Mary Zulu.

Referee: Jess Ling