South Africa 136-8 (18 overs) beat Ireland 120 all out (17.4 overs) by 16 runs
Scotland 163-5 beat Netherlands 105 all out by 58 runs
South Africa held their nerve in Loughborough, defending 136 in a rain-reduced 18-over warm-up for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s brisk 65 from 37 balls – seven fours, three sixes – gave her side a total that always looked competitive on a slightly two-paced pitch.
“We felt 130-plus would be handy,” Wolvaardt told the host broadcaster afterwards. “Once Marizanne and the bowlers found their rhythm it was about staying calm.”
Ireland, asked to chase at 7.56 an over, never quite matched the tempo. Left-hander Leah Paul top-scored with 29 but was one of four wickets for the ever-reliable Marizanne Kapp, who finished with 4 for 24. Shabnim Ismail – back in green and gold after reversing retirement – gave little away in her four tidy overs, conceding 25 and removing Amy Hunter through extra pace.
Ireland’s middle order stalled against accurate cutters from Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk, and although Orla Prendergast briefly threatened with a pair of sweetly-timed boundaries, Kapp’s return spell tightened the screw. Ireland were bowled out for 120 with two balls unused.
Earlier, Arlene Kelly’s three-for and Ava Canning’s miserly 2 for 8 checked South Africa just when a score north of 150 seemed likely, but the damage had been done during Wolvaardt’s stand with Suné Luus (18).
Over in Derby, Scotland produced a well-rounded display to brush aside Netherlands by 58 runs. Openers Darcey Carter (33) and skipper Kathryn Bryce (32) laid a 64-run platform before Priyanz Chatterji’s unbeaten 32 off 20 balls lifted Scotland to 163 for 5.
“We kept things simple – hit the top of off and back our plans,” off-spinner Katherine Fraser said after claiming 3 for 21. New-ball partner Gabriella Fontenla (2 for 2 from two overs) nipped out both Dutch openers, while leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood’s variations fetched another pair of wickets.
Netherlands never recovered from 31 for 4, though Frederique Overdijk’s spirited 28 not out from No.7 spared them complete collapse. Scotland’s ground-fielding – Bryce effecting a sharp run-out – maintained the squeeze as the Dutch were dismissed for 105 inside 19 overs.
Both fixtures offered timely match practice ahead of next week’s tournament proper. South Africa will be pleased with the form of their senior pros, while Scotland’s blend of youth and experience looked in fine fettle. Ireland and Netherlands, meanwhile, have questions to answer with the bat before the real stuff begins.
