South Africa and New Zealand scored easy wins yesterday as action started in the Twenty20 World Cup Super Eights second round.

South Africa strolled to a seven-wicket victory over England with 10 balls to spare while New Zealand beat Ireland by 83 runs.

Jacques Kallis hit 57 not out and Herschelle Gibbs 30 as South Africa made 114-3 after England collapsed for 111 in 19.5 overs in an inept batting display marked by poor shot selection.

Wayne Parnell took 3-14 from four overs and Kallis and Roelof van der Merwe took two wickets each, while Owais Shah was England's top scorer with 38.

Stifle England

South Africa captain Graeme Smith said their strategy was to stifle England.

"The plan was to put in a really tense performance," he said. "The bowlers put a lot of pressure on England and we squeezed them. This game is unpredictable and all you can do is give yourself the best chance you can to play your best game."

England's captain Paul Collingwood was embarrassed.

Collingwood's decision to bat after winning the toss initially looked bold, but after just 11 balls England had lost both openers.

Ravi Bopara was clean bowled for two by Dale Steyn with the final ball of the first over and Luke Wright was dismissed for one with the fifth ball of the second, caught behind off Wayne.

Blistering 63

In the New Zealand versus Ireland encounter, Aaron Redmond made a blistering 63 on his international Twenty20 debut to push the Kiwis to 198 for five.

Redmond, who previously had a reputation as a defensive batsman, reached his half-century off 23 balls and struck 13 boundaries from just 30 deliveries.

Scott Styris smashed 42 from 25 balls and Martin Guptil anchored the innings with an unbeaten 45 as New Zealand scored 198-5.

New Zealand ran out four Irish batsmen and Nathan McCallum took three wickets as Ireland were simply outclassed.