South Africa pummelled Ireland by 201 runs on the back of Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis centuries to all but secure a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

For the second consecutive match, the Proteas passed 400 runs, finishing on 4-411 thanks to Amla’s brilliant 159 – his highest one-day international score – and du Plessis’ 109.

In response, Ireland were simply outclassed, bowled out for 210 from 45 overs in the clash at Manuka Oval.

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Dale Steyn (2-39) and Kyle Abbott (4-21) ripped through Ireland’s top order to snuff out any hopes of a big score in response to South Africa’s total, which was the second-highest in World Cup history.

The South African innings fell two runs short of India’s record total in the tournament, set in 2007.

An 81-run fifth-wicket partnership between Andrew Balbirnie (58 off 71) and Kevin O’Brien (48 off 65) and some lower-order resistance saved the Irish from an even heavier defeat, but the result of the match was never in doubt.

Quinton de Kock fell early but Amla and du Plessis were rock steady, putting on a record second-wicket stand of 247 runs for South Africa.

Amla has scored his 20 one-day centuries in fewer innings than any other batsman, taking 108 knocks compared to the 133 it took India’s Virat Kohli to reach the mark.

Rilee Rossouw (61 not out) and David Miller (46 not out) helped them past 400.

The Ireland batsmen were never really in the hunt, as Steyn – in his 100th ODI – picked up two early wickets, while Abbott pitched in with three to reduce Ireland to 5-48 in the 11th over.

Balbirnie and O’Brien put up some resistance but when they were dismissed, it was only a matter of time before South Africa recorded their third win of the World Cup.