Beibhinn Parsons hat-trick helps brilliant Ireland storm past South Africa in Cape Town

ON THE RUN: Béibhinn Parsons of Ireland makes a break during the WXV Global Series match between South Africa and Ireland at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

WXV Global Series: South Africa 17 Ireland 38

Beibhinn Parsons scored a hat-trick as Ireland sealed a historic 38-17 win against South Africa in Cape Town to end their WXV Global Series campaign in style.

Ireland followed up last week’s 40-27 win over the Springboks to make it back-to-back victories in South Africa for the first time.

SO GOOD: Béibhinn Parsons, left, and Anna McGann of Ireland celebrate after the WXV Global Series match between South Africa and Ireland at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

South Africa scrum-half Unam Tose scored the game’s first try, but Ireland hit back through skipper Erin King and Parsons’ first touch down before Sizophila Solontsi’s score cut the visitors lead to 14-10 at half-time.

In the second period, South Africa edged ahead through Vainah Ubisi’s try, but Ireland responded as two more from wing Parsons sandwiched Aoife Dalton’s effort.

Centre Dalton completed the scoring with the visitors’ sixth try in the closing stages, while fly-half Dannah O’Brien landed four of her six conversion attempts.

PA