Parsons hat-trick propels Ireland to series win in SA

Béibhinn Parsons hat-trick propels Ireland to series win in South Africa

Updated / Saturday, 31 Oct 2026 16:23

South Africa 17-38 Ireland

Béibhinn Parsons scored a hat-trick of tries as Ireland overcame South Africa to conclude their year on a winning note at the Athlone Sports Stadium in Cape Town.

Coming off the back of their 40-27 victory last weekend, the win means that Scott Bemand's side claim a 2-0 series over South Africa in the women's team's first ever tour of the country.

While Ireland ran out relatively comfortable winners in the finish, the second test looked to be in the balance for the first hour.

When Vainah Ubisi ground her way over to score for the hosts on 58 minutes, Ireland trailed 17-14.

However, the tourists came strong in the final quarter, with Aoife Dalton and the unstoppable Parsons scoring twice apiece to seal the victory.

South Africa, currently ranked 10th in the world and whose history in the women's game is relatively limited, began brightly, going 5-0 up early on, Unam Tose touching down after just two minutes.

Ireland subsequently settled and nudged 7-5 ahead after 14 minutes, captain Erin King burrowing over from close range after 21 phases of possession, with Dannah O'Brien rifling over the handy conversion.

Not long after, South African wing Alichia Arries became the first of three players to be banished for 10 minutes following a high-tackle on O'Brien.

The name of the venue was more redolent of the Irish midlands and Buccaneers RFC than it was Cape Town but Ballinasloe's Parsons played like she was right at home.

The Connacht wing knifed her way through a gap in the South African defence, easily rode a weak attempt a tackle to score her first try beside the left-hand post to put Ireland into a commanding lead.

South Africa got a timely try just before the interval, the TMO validating Sizophila Solontsi's score after a review.

Irish appeals only succeeded in getting them reduced to 14 as Aoibheann Reilly was yellow carded for an illegal clean-out in the lead-up to the score, increasing the pressure on the visitors.

After an even third quarter, Ubisi's try pushed South Africa in front.

However, this was just the spark for Ireland to ignite. Their primary weapon Parsons was found on the right wing again and she blew past a couple of weak tackle attempts to touch down in the corner and restore Ireland's lead.

She had one iffy moment shortly afterwards, dropping an innocuous garryowen in the Irish 22 under relatively little pressure. However, she got away with it and Ireland led 19-17 entering the final 10 minutes.

Then came the late salvo to put the gloss on the scoreboard. The South Africans were reduced to 14 again after Jakkie Cilliers was yellow carded for a high tackle.

Ireland took full advantage of the extra numbers, with inside centre Dalton scything her way through the home defence and diving under the sticks.

Three minutes later came the prettiest Irish score, the ball moved through the backs to Parsons close to the right touchline. The wing showed lovely dancing feet to evade the tackle - while remaining in play - and raced through to complete her hat-trick.

With two minutes left, Dalton completed the scoring by touching down in the opposite corner.

"We're delighted with that. South Africa brought it to us, we had to stick to our game plan, stick to our processes," a delighted captain King said afterwards.

"We spoke about being the first [women's] Irish team to come to South Africa and win a test and we did.

"We're history makers now."

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