Ireland up against it

Ireland are loving being in the Super Eights at the World Cup but unless something strange happens they probably won't win another match and South Africa, their opponents on Tuesday, look far too strong.

In fact, this could be a match where South Africa choose to rest a few players, although they cannot afford any slip-ups as they target a place in the semi-finals, and preferably, not against Australia.

It could be a good opportunity for some players to find their form, notably Shaun Pollock. The seamer is his side's most important bowler, setting the tone at the top of the innings but he was pummelled by Australia and needs to get his confidence back.

As for the batsmen, they will be looking for big runs against an Ireland side given only an outside chance of victory. Bet365 make them 10/1 (11.00) to South Africa's 1/33 (1.03).

Captain Graeme Smith is the 5/4 (2.25) favourite to be his side's top runscorer, with Jacques Kallis at 5/2 and AB de Villiers 11/4.

Herschelle Gibbs, who probably can't wait for the chance to take on the Irish attack after he plundered six sixes in an over against a similarly weak bowling side earlier in the competition, is 5/1, with Leon Bosman 7/1 and Ashwell Prince 9/1.

Jeremy Bray and Niall O'Brien are joint favourites to be top Ireland runscorer at 4/1, with Eoin Morgan 9/2 and William Porterfield 5/1.

There is not a great deal of value anywhere in this match but take a risk on a couple of South African wickets going down early and Gibbs coming into his own.