Former captain Andrew Flintoff says England must regroup quickly following their shock defeat to Ireland if they are to progress at the World Cup.

Andrew Strauss's side play South Africa in Chennai on Sunday and need a victory to maintain their quarter-final hopes.

"Rather than worrying about the Ireland result, they need to worry about the next game," Flintoff told BBC Sport.

"The South Africa match is massive but we can beat them. We have got a good chance but it will be tough."

Ireland's remarkable three-wicket victory was built around Kevin O'Brien's record-breaking 113 from just 63 deliveries as his team overhauled a mammoth target of 328 in Bangalore on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old hit the fastest century in World Cup history as well as recording Ireland's most famous victory on the cricket pitch.

I'm not making excuses for England, they should be beating Ireland Andrew Flintoff

The defeat leaves England in third place in Group B with three points leading into their match with one of the pre-tournament favourites, South Africa.

Graeme Smith's side top the group following two confident victories over the West Indies and the Netherlands and boast one of the most versatile bowling attacks in the World Cup.

The addition of Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir, granted South African citizenship in January this year, has given the Proteas an extra dimension alongside the pace of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

But Flintoff backed his former team-mates to bounce back and recapture the vibrancy and form which saw them capture the ICC World Twenty20 trophy and retain the Ashes in the past 12 months.

"We're getting big scores and the batters are firing, we just need to defend them," said Flintoff, who hosts a brand new summer-long show on Radio 5 live called Freddie's World of Sport, starting on 26 May.

"The Netherlands scored 296 and if it wasn't for a great effort from Strauss against India, it could be be a different story.

"There are problems which need to be sorted quickly.

Strauss must motivate his side for a crucial match in Chennai on Sunday

"It was only a few weeks ago when we were the best team in the world. I know it was Test cricket but the fielding was right and everything was going right for us.

"But for some reason there is a lapse in that department. It's not for a lack of effort but we just need to turn it around quicker."

Flintoff commended O'Brien's astonishing achievements at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, guiding his side from a perilous 111-5 to successfully chase down 328, the highest ever successful run chase in World Cup history.

"I'm not making excuses for England, they should be beating Ireland," added the 33-year-old.

"But Kevin O'Brien is a fine player. The situation dictated he either drop anchor and play for pride or go for it.

"He came out hitting sixes against a good attack and it was refreshing to see that."

However, Flintoff warned Ireland must not become obsessed with their quest to become a fully fledged Test-playing nation and continue to progress in limited-overs cricket.

"Ireland have proven themselves they should be there [at the World Cup]," he added.

"But they are a long, long way from playing Test cricket. One-day cricket is fine but over a Test series you get found out."

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