Liam Lawrence © Action Images

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 week-end 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 10 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.