Ireland player ratings v South Africa | WXV Global Series 2026

Ireland ended their WXV Global Series campaign with a 38-17 win against the Springbok Women in Cape Town.

The result means Scott Bemand’s side have won three of their four WXV Global Series fixtures this autumn, with their sole defeat coming at the hands of the USA Women’s Eagles in Dublin last month.

The Green Wave certainly did not have things their own way at Athlone Stadium. The Springbok Women made life difficult for their visitors and opened the scoring with barely a minute played.

Erin King soon hit back with a converted try, and when Alichia Arries was sent to the sin bin, Béibhinn Parsons scored the first of her three tries. Before the break, South Africa captain Sizophila Solontsi dotted down, while Aoibheann Reilly was sent to the sin bin for a neck roll on the Springbok back-row forward.

In the second half, South Africa briefly took the lead when Vainah Ubisi crossed the whitewash. However, two tries apiece from Parsons and Aoife Dalton ultimately put the contest beyond the hosts.

Here is how Ireland’s players rated in Cape Town…

15. Niamh Gallagher – 6.5

Niamh Gallagher spent just 47 minutes on the pitch during her team’s victory in Cape Town. Making only her second Test start, the 20-year-old did not perform badly by any means, although she still has room to develop after winning just her fifth cap. She made 42 metres in a solid display.

14. Béibhinn Parsons – 9

By far Ireland’s most potent attacking threat. Béibhinn Parsons had the freedom of Cape Town at times and scored three tries for her troubles. Ireland’s record try-scorer made a game-high three line breaks, carried 11 times and gained 89 metres. To top it all off, the Connacht native beat 14 defenders. Unreal. A very good day at the office.

13. Anna McGann – 7.5

As has been the case in her recent Ireland starts, Anna McGann continued to pose a threat with ball in hand. Her ability to either take on defenders or distribute has added a different dimension to Ireland’s attack, even if her inclusion in the starting XV has come at the expense of close friend Eve Higgins. She made 12 carries for 73 metres, registered two line breaks and completed four tackles.

12. Aoife Dalton – 8

Dalton grew into the game and ultimately crossed the whitewash twice in the closing stages. Those scores went a long way towards creating a healthy margin between the two teams. She only carried the ball eight times on Saturday, but still managed to gain 38 metres. Her finishing proved particularly valuable as Ireland pulled away from the hosts.

11. Robyn O’Connor – 7.5

Another lively performance on the wing from Robyn O’Connor, who was once again unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet. A constant threat with the ball in her hands, O’Connor’s bursts were enough to trouble the South African defence, creating space for her teammates to pile forward. She also registered a try assist.

10. Dannah O’Brien – 8

This was one of those games in which plenty went right for Dannah O’Brien. Earlier in the week, it was revealed that Johnny Sexton had spent some time mentoring the out-half as part of his role with the IRFU. Kicking off that relationship with a composed performance against a physical Springbok Women side was a very good place to start. She registered one try assist, kicked four of her six conversions and remained unflustered as South Africa continued to put Ireland under pressure.

9. Aoibheann Reilly – 5

There had been little wrong with Aoibheann Reilly’s performance until her 37th-minute yellow card. She was sent to the sideline following a neck roll on Springbok Women captain Sizophila Solontsi. Once her 10-minute suspension had elapsed, Emily Lane was immediately introduced from the bench. Ireland ultimately went on to secure a comfortable victory, but Reilly’s indiscretion was an avoidable blemish on her afternoon.

1. Linda Djougang – 8

It was another lengthy stint on the pitch for Linda Djougang, who, as we have come to expect, operated at both loosehead and tighthead prop. Seriously impressive stuff from the 30-year-old, who carried the ball seven times and helped Ireland establish scrum supremacy from the opening minute to the 80th.

2. Neve Jones – 7

Before being replaced by Beth Buttimer, Neve Jones enjoyed a reasonably solid afternoon at Athlone Stadium. Ireland’s lineout operated at a 92% success rate, while Jones also completed eight tackles. A dependable contribution from the hooker.

3. Eilís Cahill – 7.5

A strong performance from the nine-cap international. Not only did she hold her own at scrum time and help Ireland achieve 100% success at the set-piece, but she also carried the ball eight times. Aside from one lost turnover, it was a solid performance from the prop.

4. Jane Clohessy – 7

A solid outing from the Munster second-row forward. It was not a game in which Ireland spent prolonged periods defending, despite the Springbok Women enjoying the majority of possession. Clohessy completed six carries and made six tackles during her full 80 minutes on the pitch, providing a dependable presence in the engine room.

5. Dorothy Wall – 7

Another typically industrious performance from Dorothy Wall. Proficient in both attack and defence, she helped Ireland retain possession and contributed to the lineout’s relative success in Cape Town. She carried the ball eight times and completed six tackles, providing a solid contribution throughout.

6. Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan – 7.5

Tuite-O’Sullivan enjoyed another 66 minutes at blindside flanker this weekend. She looked considerably more assured in the back row, making seven tackles and carrying the ball eight times with real power. An encouraging performance as she continues to develop her role in the Ireland pack.

7. Erin King – 8

Another captain’s performance. As usual, Erin King did a little bit of everything and did it well. Her seven carries may have yielded only 10 metres, but they included a determined lunge across the try line after sustained Irish pressure in the South African half to open her team’s account. A typically committed performance from the Ireland skipper.

8. Brittany Hogan – 7

This weekend was much more like it from Sale Sharks’ Brittany Hogan. Subdued in the previous week’s Test, the back-row forward made 12 carries at Athlone Stadium for 23 metres and completed 13 tackles, the most of any Irish player. Her defensive contribution was particularly notable as Ireland dealt with South Africa’s physicality.

Replacements – 6.5

There was nothing particularly spectacular from Ireland’s replacements on Saturday. However, each player introduced from the bench helped keep Ireland on the front foot and maintained the momentum that ultimately produced a 21-point winning margin. It was a solid collective contribution as Ireland brought their autumn campaign and Test year to a successful conclusion.