KOLKATA: South Africa have become the first country in Group B to qualify for the quarterfinals in the World Cup 2011 after they outclassed Ireland by 131 runs in day-night match here at the Eden Garden on Tuesday.
Chasing a difficult target of 273, Ireland could not bat at ease as they were losing wickets at regular intervals and the whole team was out for 141 in 33.2 overs.
Gary Wilson was the top scorer with 31 with four boundaries and a six as no other Irish batsman could reach even 20.
For South Africa, Robin Peterson and Morne Morkel captured three wickets each for 32 and 33, respectively while Jacques Kallis claimed two for 20.
Earlier, South Africa managed to score 272 runs for the loss of seven wickets despite tight bowling from the minnows.
Sent into bat by Ireland captain William Porterfield, South Africa were facing difficulty in scoring fast against the minnows as they lost their top order batsmen for 117 runs in about 27 overs.
However, Jean-Paul Duminy and Collin Ingram rescued the team and took the score to 204 before Ingram was bowled by Trent Johnston for 46.
Then, Duminy found another good partner in Johan Botha (21) to add further 65 runs for the seventh wicket.
But he was unfortunate to miss his third ODI century by just one run as he was superbly caught by Kevin O'Brien off John Mooney. He hit six fours and a six in his 103-ball innings.
Among others, Morne van Wyk was the only significant contributor with a fluent 46 from 41 balls with seven fours and a six.
South Africa made one change from the side which beat India by three wickets in Nagpur on Saturday, bringing in Colin Ingram in place of their most prolific batsman AB de Villiers, who suffered a thigh strain during their win against India.
Ireland brought in fit again pace-man Trent Johnston in place of all-rounder Andre Botha, who was down with a stomach bug. This is the only change Ireland made from the team which lost to the West Indies by 44 runs.
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