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Tristan Stubbs smashed a maiden one-day international century as South Africa beat Ireland by 174 runs to win their three-match series with one match remaining on Friday.
Stubbs, 24, made an unbeaten 112 from 81 balls with eight fours and three sixes as the Proteas accumulated 343-4 in their 50 overs.
In response, Ireland were dismissed for 169 with almost 20 overs remaining as they suffered a second successive heavy defeat after losing by 139 runs in the first match on Wednesday.
Stubbs made 79 in that match and was merciless again on Friday, hitting triple figures off 75 deliveries as the Irish attack withered despite using seven bowlers.
Stubbs shared a partnership of 103 for the third wicket with the recalled Kyle Verreynne and 92 for the fourth wicket with Wiaan Mulder.
Verreynne made 67 from 64 balls, Mulder accelerating to 43 from 34 deliveries while at the top of the order, Ryan Rickelton hit 40 to add to his 91 from the opening match.
“I thought in the first game me and ‘Ricks’ were back to back. Today I didn’t want that to happen,” Stubbs said.
“That was the main goal. I thought they played pretty well. They moved us to the big side. We had a good rotation and that helped us get points.”
The only problem for the Proteas was skipper Temba Bavuma being forced to retire due to an elbow injury sustained while trying to avoid a run-out.
Opening batsman Bavuma was 35 when he was forced to call it quits and he remained out of the field when Ireland batted with Rassie van der Dussen taking charge.
“I think I aggravated an old elbow injury. We will know in the next few days. For now, I am at the mercy of the doctors,” Bavuma said.
Ireland’s response got off to the worst possible start with openers Andy Balbirnie (one) and captain Paul Stirling (five) back in the pavilion at the end of the third with just seven runs on the board.
The Proteas made steady inroads before fielders Craig Young (29, not out) and Graham Hume (21) put together an entertaining last-wicket partnership of 52.
South African fast bowler Lizaad Williams, who took a career-best 4-32 on Wednesday, took 3-36 from five overs.
“It was a tough day at the office,” Stirling said.
The three-match series will conclude on Monday at the same venue in Abu Dhabi.
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