South Africa - 42 Ireland - 22Ireland's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the IRB World Championships foundered in Johannesburg yesterday as South Africa landed nine out of 10 penalties and two drop goals.

Ireland scored one try to South Africa's two and while outhalf Eoghan Hickey landed six out of nine penalty attempts, Ireland were unable to take control when the "Baby Boks" were twice reduced to 14 men in the first half.

Pedrie Wanenberg was sin-binned in the 22nd minute for a professional foul, allowing Brian O'Riordan to score a try from close range. Added to a Hickey penalty, this allowed Ireland to score 10 points in Wanenberg's absence and lead 13-12.

But when South Africa outhalf Francois Swart was yellow carded just before half-time for throwing a punch at Matthew McCullough, Ireland failed to take advantage. Hickey missed the penalty and after the siren had sounded for the break, Ashwin Willemse crossed for a try. Jorrie Muller converted and added a drop goal and a penalty to give his side a at 28-16 lead by the time Swart returned.

SOUTH AFRICA: J Muller; C Els, C Rathbone, J de Villiers, A Willemse; F Swart, E Januarie; G Steenkamp, G Botha, R Gerber, S v Rooyen, Q Geldenhuys, R Bernard P Wanenberg, J Cronje. Replacements: JP Nel for Els, 42 min; T Kokoali for Swart, 73; F du Preez for Januarie, 78, P Barnard for Gerber, 53; J du Toit for van Rooyen, 73; S Burger for Bernard, 60.

IRELAND: S Young; J Norton, G Duffy, C O'Sullivan, C McPhillips; E Hickey, B O'Riordan; J Lyne, R Best, B Young, S Keogh, M McCullough, S Jennings, C Hartigan, R Wilson. Replacements: K Corrigan for Best, T Baker for Jennings, both 64 min; M Carroll for R Wilson, 73.

Referee: M Goddard (Australia)