Ireland have built on last year’s successful November series against the best of the southern hemisphere by recording their biggest-ever victory over a dreadful South Africa side in a 38-3 hammering at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

The hosts, who beat New Zealand for the first time a year ago, got on top up front in the first half as Johnny Sexton kicked three penalties and winger Andrew Conway touched down for a 14-0 halftime lead.

South Africa looked more like the team beaten 57-0 by New Zealand in September than the one that lost by a point to the world champions last month and late tries from Rhys Ruddock, Rob Herring and Jacob Stockdale completed their wretched evening.

Ireland will expect to make it a clean sweep with Tests against Fiji and Argentina ahead, while South Africa will look to start again against France next week before travelling to Italy and Wales.