Belfast, June 25:

Vernon Philander celebrated his 22nd birthday and one-day international debut with 4-12 as South Africa beat Ireland by 42 runs at Stormont on Sunday.

Ireland, set 174 to win in a match reduced by rain to 31 overs per side, were going well at 45 without loss before losing three wickets for two runs in nine balls.

Earlier, Ireland debutant Alex Cusack took 3-15 in four overs as South Africa were held to 173/4 and then finished on 36 not out. Morne van Wyk’s maiden ODI fifty was the centrepiece of South Africa’s total. South Africa saw van Wyk (52) and AB de Villiers (40) put on 75 for the first wicket while Jacques Kallis made 46.

South Africa’s other debutant, off-spinner Thandi Tshabalala, got in on the act with Kevin O’Brien holing out to van Wyk at deep mid-wicket. Philander ended the match by bowling last man Roger Whelan for nought with a ball to spare.