WXV Global Series, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
South Africa 27-40 Ireland (FT)
Aoife Dalton, Linda Djougang (2), Jane Clohessy, Beibhinn Parsons and Erin King cross for Irish; Aseza Hele, Vainah Ubisi, Maria Tshiremba, Lerato Makua and Alichia Arries score for hosts
Ireland captain King sin-binned for high tackle in 23rd minute
Only previous encounter was a 37-0 win for Ireland in 2006 World Cup
Sides will meet again at Athlone Stadium on 31 October
Erin King (con Dannah O'Brien)
The Irish pressure pays off!
Niamh O'Dowd times a perfect pass to her captain and Erin King goes crashing over to extend her side's lead to 31-17.
Dannah O'Brien slots the extras to make it four conversions out of five to extend the lead to 33-17 with less than half an hour to go.
Image source, InphoSouth Africa 17-26 Ireland
After building some patient phases towards the try line, Aoibheann Reilly sees space and looks to go herself but she is bundled in touch and South Africa will have the line-out.
South Africa 17-26 Ireland
Ireland have the advantage as South Africa fail to roll away at the breakdown.
South Africa 17-26 Ireland
A huge occasion for Yonela Ngxingolo who becomes only the second South African woman to reach 50 caps!
The crowd at Athlone Stadium greet her with huge cheers of support as the Springboks replace their front row.
South Africa 17-26 Ireland
The Irish backs are working the ball through their hands.
South Africa 17-26 Ireland
Aseza Hele looks dangerous with the ball in hand once again!
South Africa 17-26 Ireland
South Africa have turned over the ball and have just passed the halfway mark.
South Africa 17-26 Ireland
The all-time leading try scorer for the Ireland women's team Beibhinn Parsons goes racing over for an early score!
Dannah O'Brien's conversion attempt is unsuccessful for the first time today but that's four tries secured by Ireland.
South Africa 17-21 Ireland
Ireland are straight out of the blocks and looking to build some early attacking pressure!
South Africa 17-21 Ireland
Dannah O'Brien gets us under way for the final 40 minutes at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town!
HT: South Africa 17-21 Ireland
The teams are running back onto the pitch.
It's almost time to kick off a big second half!
HT: South Africa 17-21 Ireland
It's been a very entertaining first half of rugby with plenty of action so far after waiting 20 years to watch them play each other again!
Ireland and South Africa will meet again on October 31 for their third-ever clash and their final WXV Global Series match.
We'll be keeping you up to date once again with more live text commentary!
HT: South Africa 17-21 Ireland
Do you think Ireland can hold on to their narrow lead or will South Africa continue to respond?
Give us a thumbs up for Ireland or thumbs down for South Africa!
HT: South Africa 17-21 Ireland
It's been a very back and forth first half but Ireland head into the changing rooms ahead 21-17 after a late try by Jane Clohessy.
Both sides are showing very promising attack but scores by Aoife Dalton, Linda Djoungang and Clohessy put the visitors in the lead by four points.
A big 40 minutes ahead!
Jane Clohessy (con Dannah O'Brien)
With the clock over two minutes into the red, Jane Clohessy goes crashing over the whitewash for Ireland's third try and is met by lots of hugs and celebrations as a result.
Dannah O'Brien continues her successful off the tee and the visitors will head into the changing rooms ahead by four points.
Image source, InphoSouth Africa 17-14 Ireland
It's back to a penalty for Ireland as a lifting tackle by Jakkie Cilliers on Anna McGann is spotted.
It's not a card action as it's determined the player was put down safely.
South Africa 17-14 Ireland
Ireland are just metres short of the line.
South Africa 17-14 Ireland
Erin King makes a huge turnover and Ireland have the chance to get one more score before the break.
Can they do it?
South Africa 17-14 Ireland
It's one response after another as Maria Tshiremba dots down in the corner for her side's third try of the match.
The conversion attempt falls short but with less than a minute to go until the break, South Africa take the lead back.
South Africa 12-14 Ireland
The Springboks are putting Ireland under huge pressure.
A score looks inevitable here...
