Captain Kayla Reyneke and seaming allrounder Fay Cowling were the standout performers as the SA U19 Women secured consecutive victories on Monday, taking an early lead in the five-match Youth T20 International (T20I) series against Ireland U19 in Tshwane.
Reyneke delivered an impressive 46* off 27 balls to guide the hosts to a six-wicket win in the first T20I, while Cowling’s remarkable figures of three for three, paired with a quick-fire 18*, drove South Africa to another comfortable six-wicket victory, this time with 58 balls to spare, in the second match.
In the day's opener, after winning the toss, the SA U19s set the tone by restricting Ireland to 113/8 in their allotted 20 overs. South Africa’s Ashleigh van Wyk led with figures of three for 22, while Jemma Botha (1/5), Mona-Lisa Legodi (1/9), Mieke van Voorst (1/9), Nthabiseng Nini (1/15), and Reyneke (1/24) each contributed a wicket.
In reply, the home team made swift work of the chase despite losing openers Botha (10) and Simoné Lourens (19) in the powerplay. Allrounder Reyneke’s unbeaten 46* (5 fours, 2 sixes) proved decisive, steering her side to victory with 6.5 overs to spare.
The second T20I saw Cowling excel with the ball after South Africa again opted to bowl first. The right-arm pacer dismissed Ireland’s top three, ending with figures of three for three from three overs, as South Africa restricted the visitors to 93/8 in their 20 overs.
Van Voorst (1/13), Legodi (1/14), and Van Wyk (1/14) contributed to South Africa’s consistent bowling effort, keeping Ireland’s batters under pressure.
Cowling then stepped up with the bat, smashing a four and a six in a brisk 10-ball 18* alongside Karabo Meso (13*) to propel the SA U19s over the line in the 11th over, clinching a 2-0 series lead with three matches remaining.
The third T20I will be held on Wednesday, 30 October, from 14h00 at the same venue. Live coverage will be available on Cricket South Africa’s YouTube page.
SOUTH AFRICA U19 WOMEN SQUAD: Youth T20 International Series against Ireland (28 October - 01 November)
Jemma Botha (World Sports Betting Western Province), Fay Cowling (DP World Lions), Jae-Leigh Filander (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mona-Lisa Legodi (Fidelity Titans), Simoné Lourens (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (Glencore Dragons), Luyanda Nzuza (Knights), Diara Ramlakan (DP World Lions), Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Diedré van Rensburg (Glencore Dragons), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Chanel Venter (Fidelity Titans)
FIXTURES: South Africa U19 Women’s Youth T20 International Series against Ireland (28 October - 01 November)
WEDNESDAY, 30 OCTOBER
3rd Youth T20I @ 14h00: South Africa U19 Women v Ireland (Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane)
FRIDAY, 01 NOVEMBER
4th Youth T20I @ 09h30: South Africa U19 Women v Ireland U19 (Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane)
5th Youth T20I @ 14h00: South Africa U19 Women v Ireland U19 (Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane)