South Africa have posted a magnificent 211-5, thanks to a solid, fourth consecutive half-century from the in-form Reeza Hendricks and a brutal salvo from Aiden Markram.

The Proteas opted to bat first in Bristol, and Keshav Maharaj subbed in to lead the side in place of the injured David Miller.

Ireland got just the start they were looking for, when a brilliant throw from Harry Tector caught Quinton de Kock well short of his ground. Two overs later, they got another big wicket when Rassie van der Dussen popped a straightforward catch to short third man.

Amid the early struggle, Hendricks looked fluent as ever through the off side. He stroked a six and a four over cover in the third over, and rotated strike well with Aiden Markram. It was a fairly sedate passage of play until Markram hit his first maximum off Barry McCarthy.

In the meantime, Hendricks brought up his 11th T20I half-century, and his rich vein of form has come at a very opportune time for SA, creating a difficult selection puzzle for the top order.

The highlight of the 112-run stand was Markram taking down left-armer Josh Little for two fours and two sixes in the 14th over. And in the very next over, he brought up a half-century of his own in 25 deliveries.

A double-strike from legspinner Gareth Delany in the 16th over temporarily pushed the visitors back, but the platform had been set and heavy damage had already been dealt.

The innings was punctuated with rapid 20’s from Tristan Stubbs and Dwaine Pretorius at the death, setting up a steep chase for Ireland.

SA has lots of runs on the board, but will the Irish fight back with the bat? It’s been a superb effort from them to give India and New Zealand a run for their money, and the Proteas are more than fair game.

SA 211/5 in 20 overs (Hendricks 74, Markram 56 – Delany 3-0-31-2)