Ireland won the toss and opted to bowl first in overcast conditions against South Africa in their Group B match at the World Cup in Eden Gardens on Tuesday.

The Proteas, on a high after their battling three-wicket win over India, face Ireland with Graeme Smith’s men guaranteed a last-eight place with a victory.

De Villiers, who has made 318 runs at the tournament at an average of 106, has replaced by Colin Ingram, with leg-spinner Imran Tahir sidelined for a second match in succession to nurse a broken thumb.