South Africa beat Ireland by 74 runs in Gqeberha to win the second one-day international and clinch the series.
The hosts claimed a seven-wicket win in the first game in East London and carried that momentum into Tuesday’s second meeting as they set Ireland an imposing total of 357.
Orla Prendergast, who was agonisingly caught on the boundary on 97 by Sune Luus off Miane Smit, led the way as Ireland gave spirited chase but were ultimately all out for 301.
The Proteas won the toss and opted to bat first, the decision proving a canny one after they amassed their highest ODI total, eclipsing the 337 they made against Ireland in 2017.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with a superb 124 off 111 balls, sharing a stand of 179 with Luus who also reached her century (114 off 113 balls), while Dane van Niekerk smashed 88 off 47.
Ireland lost opener Sarah Forbes, who had contributed 42 in Saturday’s defeat, for a five-ball duck in the first over.
From there, though, a 76-run partnership from Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter steadied the ship.
After Prendergast fell just three runs shy of becoming the first Irish woman to hit two ODI centuries, Ireland’s tail were still able to contribute a further 41 runs for the final four wickets but never looked likely to complete the huge chase.
The final match of the series is on Friday in Johannesburg.
