Niall O'Brien congratulates Cusack after dismissing Morne van Wyk

South Africa proved too strong for Ireland despite a fine all-round effort from debutant Alex Cusack in Belfast.

Cusack claimed 3-15 to restrict South Africa to 173-4 in a game reduced to 31 overs each and then hit an unbeaten 36 in Ireland's 131 all out.

South Africa skipper Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs were two illustrious victims for Cusack.

But his figures were bettered by Vernon Philander, who took 4-12 to secure a 42-run win for the tourists.

Philander was also making his first appearance in a limited overs international, and his figures were second only to Allan Donald's 5-29 against India in 1991 by a South African on debut.

He pulled out of a deal to play for Ireland in the Friends Provident Trophy this summer because of a back problem, but showed no sign of the injury as he swung the ball around at a useful pace.

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And Philander finished things off by bowling Roger Whelan with the game's penultimate delivery.

After the lengthy hold-up at the start, Irish skipper Trent Johnston chose to field after winning the toss but South Africa looked on course for a score in excess of 200 after Morne van Wyk (52) and AB de Villiers (40) shared an opening stand of 75.

But they were gradually reined in by tidy bowling, with Whelan following his dismissal of Indian star Sachin Tendulkar the previous day by having de Villiers was caught by Cusack at deep extra cover.

Kallis began his innings with a straight six off Andrew White as he and van Wyk, who was playing his first one-dayer for four years, added 61 for the second wicket.

But the introduction of Cusack as fifth change brought their partnership to an end when van Wyk chipped a catch to Trent Johnston at mid-wicket.

Gibbs, who made headlines at the World Cup by hitting six sixes in an over against the Netherlands, failed to have anything like the same impact this time as Cusack found the edge and he was caught behind for two.

Kallis then skied a catch to Kevin O'Brien at cover on 46 and although Justin Kemp hit two fours in an unbeaten 18 off 13 balls at the end of the innings, Ireland could be well satisfied with their efforts in the field.

Philander (right) produced some excellent bowling for South Africa

To have a chance of avenging their World Cup defeat in Guyana in April, they needed a good start from their batsmen and got it as William Porterfield and Kenny Carroll put on 45 in nine overs.

But the extra pace of Dale Steyn produced the breakthrough as Carroll slipped as he went onto the back foot to defend a rising delivery and was out hit wicket for 21.

Steyn then had Thinus Fourie caught at slip and when Porterfield fenced at a ball from Philander and was caught behind for 17, the momentum had been well and truly lost.

Dominick Joyce and the O'Briens - Niall and Kevin - produced only 21 runs between them - the latter a first international victim for off-spinner Thandi Tshabalala, who then dropped a sharp return catch offered by Cusack on seven.

Andrew White and Johnston also went cheaply and a partnership of 33 for the ninth wicket between Cusack and Kyle McCallan provided little comfort as the home side's hopes of an upset evaporated.

Cusack was caught by Steyn at long-on off Tshabalala but the fielder was unable to stay inside the rope and conceded six runs instead, but it was the last thing for home supporters to cheer as Philander wrapped up the victory.