And so, it's time for an emotional farewell after a brief reflection on another big statement from South Africa.

Five of their batsmen have now scored centuries at this tournament, while Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw have proved more than able replacements for the recovering Vernon Philander and JP Duminy.

The attack looks in good working order too, although there remains a question mark over the fifth bowler and they can be sure that the better teams in the tournament will exploit any weakness.

As for Ireland, they really shouldn't dwell on this for too long. A quick dust down and then straight into prep mode for Zimbabwe on Saturday.

As for us, we'll be back at about 00:30 GMT on Wednesday for Pakistan-UAE, with Australia-Afghanistan kicking off at 06:30. Toodle-pip.

JdeSatge:, external South Africa to cruise to victory here, but their inability to wrap up the tail quickly will come back to haunt them vs better opposition.

Ed Fondue:, external Plusses: Spinners, Balbirnie & Dockrell highest ODI scores, K O'Brien. Minuses: Pace attack, fielding, top-order batting.

"It was a good game. We did it our way. We follow our game plans and the guys set it up very nicely up top for our middle order. We have made a lot of hundreds over the past 12-15 months and we are very proud of that.

"Amla is still the rock and will always be that for us. Hopefully that form can continue for the rest of the tour."

On the balance of the side: "That is decided very much on a match by match basis. I'm very comfortable with whatever balance we create and as long as I'm comfortable and the other's follow all is well."

Ireland captain William Porterfield said: "It was a difficult evening, they played very well. We had one early breakthrough and wanted more but then it was hard for us.

"You want to be taking your chances, that's cricket, but they played very well after that. It was a very good pitch and it was difficult to muster up those wickets. We tried to put some pressure on, but we would've liked a few more wickets early on.

"All credit to our lower order for the way they stuck it out batting at the end and they were up against some pretty aggressive bowling.

"Obviously the match against Zimbabwe is a big one so we will be looking to take the two points."

Image source, Getty Images

South Africa's Hashim Amla, who scored 159, said: "Fortunately we got off to a good start. We had wickets in hand so that gave us the luxury of being able to go for it, to see what happened and fortunately it paid off.

"The guys have been batting well, it was a good wicket today. It is always nice to win a game of cricket, no matter who you are playing against.

"Any hundred is a good hundred. I'm just happy to get some runs and set it up for the boys at the back end. The bowlers bowled very well and fortunately we walk away with a comfortable victory."

Here's the Pool B table, with South Africa closing in on India in top spot and Ireland still clinging on to the fourth quarter-final spot before that crucial showdown with Zimbabwe at the weekend.

Image source, ALAMY

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"South Africa's confidence grows and grows. They have had two incredible games in a row. From about over 20 overs onwards we knew they were going to get 400 again. They have strength in depth and the stuffing was knocked out of Ireland by the opening spell from Dale Steyn. They did well to get to 200 but this game was over the second South Africa got to about 320. They will be thinking that if they were to lose a game, this was the one to lose."

OptaJim on Twitter:, external There have been 19 centuries in 23 games at #CWC15, highest proportion at any World Cup (0.83 per game). Plenty.

Both of these teams will be back in action on Saturday. South Africa face Pakistan and Ireland take on Zimbabwe in a game they badly need to win.

Alan Lewis
Ex-Ireland captain on BBC Test Match Special

"It might have not been the most exciting of games, but it's interesting to see the celebrations from the South Africa team and this win means something to them.

"AB de Villiers said he would give Ireland the respect they deserved and they gave them one hell of a going over. They thoroughly deserved their win and I'm sure they will be very pleased with where they are at this point of the World Cup."

Handshakes all round. South Africa are purring now and they know it. No team had ever made 400 in back-to-back ODIs before today and in Steyn, Abbott, Morkel and Tahir they have a highly enviable attack. For the Irish, it's a first defeat of the 2015 World Cup, but they are still very much in the mix for a quarter-final place.

That'll do it. Dockrell misses one from Morkel and loses his off stump. A comprehensive win for the South Africans in Canberra.

Image source, Getty Images

Andy McBrine is Ireland's last man, squeezing two on the leg side to get off the mark. Abbott rounds off the over with a quicker one that beats the bat.

Former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs on Twitter:, external "Lots of talk of a team getting to 450. Would be more interesting if teams could chase down 400 more often than not.

More for the Blarney Army to cheer as Dockrell clips a half-volley away for a single to bring up Ireland's 200. But the joy is short-lived as Sorensen turns his back on a Morkel bouncer and gloves it through to the keeper.

Alan Lewis
Ex-Ireland captain on BBC Test Match Special

"I had a bet with Graeme Swann whether I would be back here in the commentary box for the 43rd over - and I won. But I honestly felt I wouldn't be back and I went and sat among the Irish supporters. They are still in good voice."

Sorensen continues to make Tahir look like a club bowler. Two thrashes down the ground, the first for four, and the second for six. A young man in pink lets it slip through his fingers and holds his head in his hands in self-loathing.

Hugh in France on Twitter:, external Spot on "Tattz in Nottingham". Same was true with the Oz against NZ. England would have conceded, NZ would have won by 10 wkts.