Anna McGann in action for Ireland during the WXV Global Series match versus South Africa at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town last Saturday. Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportsfile.

Strong local presence in Ireland team for South Africa clash

Kieran Galvin

Published: Fri 30 Oct 2026, 10:32 AM

Local stars Anna McGann, Béibhinn Parsons, Aoibheann Reilly and Aoife Dalton have all been named in the Ireland women’s rugby team for Saturday’s WXV Global Series clash against South Africa in Cape Town (kick-off 1pm Irish time).

Athlone native Anna McGann forms the centre partnership with Clara’s Aoife Dalton, a former Moate Community School student. Meanwhile, Ballinasloe’s Béibhinn Parsons is on the right wing with South Roscommon’s Aoibheann Reilly selected at scrum-half.

The inclusion of Reilly and Niamh Gallagher’s selection at full-back are the two changes to the starting team from last Saturday’s 40-27 victory over Springbok women when Parsons was among the try scorers.

Interestingly, that match was played at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town and the same venue will host tomorrow’s fixture (live on TG4 Player).

Ireland (v South Africa)

15. Niamh Gallagher (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby); 14. Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College/Connacht), 13. Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht), 12. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 11. Robyn O'Connor (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster); 10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster); 9. Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht); 1. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), 3. Eilís Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster); 4. Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), 5. Dorothy Wall (Exeter Chiefs); 6. Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster), 7. Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), captain, 8. Brittany Hogan (Sale Sharks).

Replacements: Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Niamh O’Dowd (Gloucester-Hartpury), Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Cooke RFC/Ulster), Grace Moore (Munster), Jemima Adams Verling (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster), Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster), Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC/Leinster).