South Africa vs. Ireland: Highlights, Scorecard, Recap from Cricket World Cup

Ireland were given a World Cup reality check as South Africa put them to the sword in Canberra.

Brilliant centuries from Hashim Amla (159) and Faf du Plessis (109) helped South Africa post over 400 for the second game in succession.

"

"@ICC: 411 / 4! Briliant from South Africa, the 1st side to ever score 400+ in consecutive ODI's! #SAvIRE #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/RK1TaeILEl"

— Ronel govender (@ronel1218) March 3, 2015"

Ireland prefer chasing, but the victory target of 412 proved well beyond them as they were bowled out for 210.

It is a damaging defeat for Ireland, but they still have a chance of reaching the knockout stages, while South Africa are heading for the quarter-finals at a rate of knots.

South Africa elected to bat after winning the toss on what looked an excellent Canberra pitch.

Ireland took an early wicket, as Quinton de Kock edged John Mooney behind to wicketkeeper Gary Wilson and was given out after a review.

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Any Ireland celebrations were quickly snuffed out, as Amla and Du Plessis came together to put on 247 for the second wicket.

Amla, though, did receive an early life as Ed Joyce spilled a good chance at short mid-wicket. It proved a very, very costly drop.

While Du Plessis went about his business at an impressive run a ball, he was put in the shade by Amla, who powered to his 159 off 128 balls.

Both Amla and Du Plessis hit the ball to all parts of the ground in making three figures.

"

WATCH: Hashim Amla brings up his 20th ODI century for South Africa. #CWC15 #fireitup http://t.co/SOT4CnbpAD

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 3, 2015"

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WATCH: Faf du Plessis bring up his 100. #CWC15 #fireitup http://t.co/6HNaUuBOzl

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 3, 2015"

Andy McBrine and Kevin O’Brien removed Amla and Du Plessis, respectively, but that did not check South Africa’s momentum, and David Miller and Rilee Rossouw hammered the bowling in the final 10 overs to take South Africa to 411 for four.

Batsman	How Out	Runs	Minutes	Balls
HM Amla	c Joyce b McBrine	159	169	128
Q de Kock†	c †Wilson b Mooney	1	14	4
F du Plessis	b KJ O'Brien	109	140	109
AB de Villiers*	c NJ O'Brien b McBrine	24	17	9
DA Miller	not out	46	42	23
RR Rossouw	not out	61	39	30
Extras	(b 1, w 7, nb 3)	11
Total	(4 wickets; 50 overs)	411
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
JF Mooney	7	2	52	1
MC Sorensen	6	0	76	0
KJ O'Brien	7	0	95	1
GH Dockrell	10	0	56	0
PR Stirling	10	0	68	0
AR McBrine	10	0	63	2

Dale Steyn has been a little below his best so far at the World Cup, but he has time to find his form, and there were indications of a revival against Ireland.

Pace and bounce did for Ireland opener Paul Stirling, who edged behind to De Kock, who took a simple catch. The umpire initially gave Stirling not out but a sensible South Africa review sent the batsman back to the pavilion.

WATCH: @OfficialCSA strike early as Steyn removes Stirling after a review. #CWC15 #fireitup http://t.co/qsKM2KsWtC

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 3, 2015

Joyce had an afternoon to forget in the field, having shelled Amla early on, and his day was capped off when he edged Steyn to Amla in the slips to depart for a duck.

"

Dale Steyn is in rhythm - that is a very good news for South Africa heading in to the quarterfinal #SAvIRE

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) March 3, 2015"

Niall O’Brien is one of the classiest batsmen in the Ireland lineup, but he chased a wide ball from Kyle Abbott and fell to an excellent catch in the slips from Amla, who took the ball despite De Kock flying across his line of sight.

"

WATCH: Hashim Amla takes a wonderful catch at slip after Quinton de Kock had deflected Niall O'Brien's thick edge. http://t.co/gETOHo8i9o

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 3, 2015"

Kevin O'Brien once again showed his prowess with the bat, as he and Andy Balbirnie put on 81, but Ireland did not have enough firepower and were ultimately well beaten by 201 runs.

Batsman	How Out	Runs	Minutes	Balls
WTS Porterfield*	c du Plessis b Abbott	12		17
PR Stirling	c †de Kock b Steyn	9		6
EC Joyce	c Amla b Steyn	0		4
NJ O'Brien	c Amla b Abbott	14		9
A Balbirnie	c Rossouw b Morkel	58		71
GC Wilson†	lbw b Abbott	0		3
KJ O'Brien	c Rossouw b Abbott	48		65
JF Mooney	b de Villiers	8		15
GH Dockrell	b Morkel	25		57
MC Sorensen	c †de Kock b Morkel	22		19
AR McBrine	not out	2		4
Extras	(lb 3, w 9)	12
Total	(all out; 45 overs)	210
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
DW Steyn	8	0	39	2
KJ Abbott	8	0	21	4
M Morkel	9	0	34	3
Imran Tahir	10	1	50	0
F Behardien	2	0	13	0
RR Rossouw	2	0	13	0
F du Plessis	4	0	30	0
AB de Villiers	2	0	7	1

While South Africa are genuine contenders for the title, Ireland still have designs on reaching the last eight and can achieve that if results go their way. They have games to come against Zimbabwe, India and Pakistan. Two wins will be enough and one may well still take them through.