Kolkata, March 15: South Africa marched into the quarter-final stage of the 2011 ICC World Cup with a resounding 131-run win against minnows Ireland in Kolkata today. The match played at the Eden Gardens was a day/night affair.

South Africa, having won the toss, got off to a horrible start with the score reading 117 for five in 26.3 overs. Besides Morne van Wyk (42), none of the other top three batsmen managed to score beyond 18. That set the stage for an 87-run partnership between JP Duminy and Colin Ingram which set South Africa towards a respectable total.

Duminy was unfortunate not to bring up his maiden century at the ICC World Cup, caught brilliantly by Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien off the fourth delivery of the 50th over. But his innings of 99 ensured South Africa finished their innings at a healthy 272 for 7 in 50 overs. Ingram made 46, while Johan Botha remained not out on 21 off 28 balls.

Ireland struggled to get going in the face of South Africa’s target. Barring Gary Wilson, who scored 31, no other Irish batsman scored more than 19 runs. Half their side was back in the pavilion with the score at 92 and the remaining half followed 49 runs later with the score at 141.

For South Africa, Morne Morkel and Rob Peterson took three wickets each while Jacques Kallis took two wickets.

South Africa are now the only confirmed entrant from Group B into the quarter-final stage of the 2011 ICC World Cup. Ireland, with two points from five games, are out of contention for a quarter-final berth.

Brief scores:South Africa 272 for 7 in 50 overs (JP Duminy 99, Colin Ingram 46, Morne van Wyk 42, John Mooney 1/36) beat Ireland 141 all out in 33.2 overs (Gary Wilson 31, Morne Morkel 3/33, Rob Peterson 3/32) by 131 runs

Man-of-the-match: JP Duminy for his innings of 99 that took South Africa to a respectable score of 272 in 50 overs