Springbok Women vs Ireland result: six-try Irish win 40-27 in Cape Town

Ireland came back from 12-5 down in the first half to beat the Springbok Women 40-27 at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday 24 October. They scored six tries on their first trip to South Africa.

The Test was the first of two WXV Global Series meetings between the sides in Cape Town. It was only the second time the two teams had played each other. Their one previous meeting came 20 years earlier, at the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup in Canada, where Ireland won 37-0.

This time the hosts made the better start. Ireland captain Erin King was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle in the 23rd minute. While she was off, Vainah Ubisi scored and Jakkie Cilliers converted, putting South Africa 12-5 ahead.

Ireland took control from there. Linda Djougang scored twice, Aoife Dalton, Jane Clohessy and Beibhinn Parsons added one each, and King also crossed. Dannah O'Brien kicked five conversions. The visitors were nearly further ahead: a try by replacement scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly was disallowed for a knock-on by Brittany Hogan. Ireland also had Eve Higgins sin-binned in the 67th minute.

South Africa, captained by Sizophila Solontsi, scored five tries of their own, through Aseza Hele, Ubisi, Maria Tshiremba, Lerato Makua and Alichia Arries. Cilliers converted only one of them, while O'Brien landed five of Ireland's six.

For Ireland, the win follows a defeat by the United States in their WXV opener and a victory over Japan. They will be looking to finish the campaign with a third win from four games when the sides meet again at Athlone Stadium on Saturday 31 October. Kick-off is at 15:00 SAST, and the match is listed in our rugby fixtures.