Tristan Stubbs has scored a career-best unbeaten 112 from 81 balls as South Africa thumped Ireland by 174 runs to clinch their three-game one-day-international series with a game to spare in a hot and humid Abu Dhabi.

After electing to bat on Friday, South Africa posted a formidable 4-343 from their 50 overs, propelled by Stubbs' maiden ODI century and 67 from 64 balls by Kyle Verreynne as the pair put on 103 for the third wicket.

The bad news for South Africa was captain Temba Bavuma, who had to retire hurt following a fluent 35 with a soft tissue injury in his arm. It puts him in doubt for the two-Test tour of Bangladesh that starts on October 21.

Ireland could not lay a platform from which to build in their reply and were bowled out for 169, some respectability brought to the score by a 52-run last wicket stand between Graham Hume (21) and No.11 Craig Young, who hit their highest individual score of the series, 29 not out.

Seamer Lizaad Williams then took three early wickets and finished with figures of 3-36, the pick of the South African bowlers for the second game in a row.

South Africa have rested several of their regular players for the series, with the third and final ODI to be played at the same venue on Monday.