Ireland plays South Africa in the first T20I on August 3 at the Gloucestershire Cricket Stadium in Bristol from 11:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).

The Ireland cricket team lost to New Zealand 3-0 in their last T20I series. Mark Adair scored 89 runs in three games for the Irish side while Josh Little picked eight wickets with the ball. The Kiwis won the final T20 match by six wickets. Ireland posted 174 for 6 thanks to Paul Stirling’s 29-ball 40. The Blackcaps chased the target down in 19 overs. 

South Africa beat England 2-1 in their last T20 series. In the final match of the series, the Proteas posted 191 for 5 in the first innings. The Three Lions were then bundled out for just 101 thanks to Tabraiz Shamsi’s 5 for 24 with the ball. Reeza Hendricks scored 180 runs in the series for the Proteas while Shamsi picked eight wickets.

Ireland vs South Africa 1st T20I odds

Bet365 odds: Ireland: 4.50, South Africa: 1.20

10CRIC odds:Ireland: 4.76, South Africa: 1.17

Betway odds: Ireland: 4.50, South Africa: 1.16

1xBet odds: Ireland: 4.52, South Africa: 1.205

Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.

Ireland vs South Africa head-to-head in T20Is

South Africa have won all three previous T20I matches against Ireland.

South Africa beat Ireland by 49 runs in their previous match in 2021. Temba Bavuma played a match-winning 72 of 51 balls.

Ireland vs South Africa 1st T20I probable playing XI

Ireland: Andy Balbirnie (captain), Paul Stirling, Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wicket-keeper), G.Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little. 

South Africa: David Miller (captain), Quinton De Kock (wicket-keeper), Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Ireland vs New Zealand 1st T20I top picks

Ireland: Paul Stirling will be the top pick from the Irish side. Stirling has scored 2,894 runs in 107 T20 internationals at an average of 29.53. The 31-year-old batter also scored 20 half-centuries and one century in the shortest format. Stirling has also picked 20 wickets in T20Is at an economy of 7.46.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock will be the player to watch out for from the Proteas side. The 29-year-old has scored 1,880 runs in 67 T20Is. De Kock has an average of 31.86 and a strike rate of 134.09 in the shortest format. The wicket-keeper batter has also scored 12 half-centuries.

Ireland vs South Africa 1st T20I prediction

South Africa are clear favourites to win the game against Ireland. The Proteas have never lost a T20I against the Irish side.

Ireland have been playing well in recent times but will face a strong challenge from the South African cricket team. The hosts can beat any team on a given day.

Ireland vs South Africa 1st T20I playing conditions and weather report

Maximum Temperature: 24°C

Precipitation: 30%

Humidity: 65%

Wind: 20 km/h