PAUL STIRLING hit 88 off 92 balls as Ireland defeated a depleted South Africa in their third and final one-day international.
But the 69-run victory was a mere consolation in Abu Dhabi yesterday as the Proteas won the series 2-1.
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Ireland elected to bat and for the third game in a row it proved far easier scoring during the day than under lights as they posted 284 for nine. South Africa were bowled out for just 215.
Openers Stirling and Andy Balbirnie — who had 45 — put on 101 for the first wicket with Harry Tector scoring 60 from 48 balls at the tail end of the innings.
South Africa toiled in the heat but series-leading wicket-taker Lizaad Williams took 4-56 in another impressive display of seam bowling.
They rested most of their regular players and were further depleted by injury to the point where batting coach JP Duminy was forced to field in sweltering heat some five years after he played the last of his 81 T20 internationals.
Ireland had their opponents reeling at ten for three in their reply, a position from which South Africa never recovered.
Jason Smith, playing in his second ODI, led a lone resistance with 91 from 93 balls.
South Africa won the first two games by 139 and 174 runs respectively as winning the toss and batting first proved the key to success at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.