IRISH captain Angus Dunlop's undefeated century failed to stop South Africa recording a 63-run win over the hosts at Castle Avenue in Dublin yesterday.

South Africa, playing the second and last game of their brief Irish visit, batted first and scored 289 for five off the 50 overs.

Ireland achieved three early breakthroughs to leave South Africa 64 for three after 19 overs. But then Daryll Cullinan joined Gary Kirsten and pushed the score to 95 before Kirsten fell, having scored 47.

After that, Ireland's bowlers struggled, as Cullinan and Hansie Cronje put on 194 for the fifth wicket. Cullinan, unbeaten on 117 at the end, reached his century off 92 balls and hit four sixes and nine fours, while Cronje's 74 came off 70 deliveries and included two sixes and six fours.

Ireland's leg-spinner Matt Dwyer was his team's most successful bowler, taking three for 50 off his 10 overs. A dropped catch in the deep cost him a fourth wicket, and much later he completed a good day personally by sharing in the undefeated 10th-wicket stand which enabled Dunlop to attain his century.

Dunlop reached his hundred off 102 balls, hitting four sixes and seven fours. His was very much a captain's effort, as he had come to the crease when Ireland had lost four wickets for 44 after 12 overs.