It was South Africa's sixth successive defeat against

what was little more than an Irish B-team and aroused grave concern

that the preparations of next year's World Cup hosts is rearing

dangerously off-track.

Ireland's veteran Italian coach, Giovanni Trapattoni, rested

eight of his regulars from the side that beat Cyprus 2-1 in a World

Cup qualifier over the weekend and still Bafana could not muster

the confidence and resolve to break down a determined, but sluggish

Irish defence despite placing a

territorial stranglehold on the opening period.

It was against the run of play that Ireland opened the score in

the 37th minute via a sensational 30-metre free-kick from Stoke

City's Liam Lawrence that curled into the top corner of the net and

left Bafana goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez clutching at fresh air.

An aghast Benson Mhlongo held his head in frustration while

immersed in the knowledge that it was his indiscretion that had

resulted in Ireland being awarded the fateful free-kick.

Bafana's shortcomings are most apparent when they are trailing

the opposition and the consequent lack of confidence was further

diminished after the interval.

Ireland, in contrast, were briefly inspired by Lawrence's magic

and came tantalisingly close to increasing their lead on the

resumption, with Morgan Gould a shade lucky not to concede a

penalty for handball in the 49th minute.

Bafana peppered the Irish goal with an assortment of wild and

misdirected scoring efforts, with no fewer than ten shots all

sailing high, wide and handsome without testing Coventry City's

Keiren Westwood between the posts.

And even the introduction of attacking players Simphiwe

Tshabalala and Mabhudi Khenyeza made little difference as they

joined the wanton shooting spree with apparent relish.

Bafana received a forlorn lifeline in the 89th minute when they

were awarded a free-kick from a similar distance to that from

which Lawrence had produced his earlier match-winner, but it was no

more than in-character when substitute Lucas Thwala's shot veered

well wide of the posts.

Ireland, indeed, looked more potent and calculating on their

rare counter-attacks and it was more Bafana's shortcomings than the

luck of the Irish that decided the outcome.