South Africa won the humdinger in the shadows of Table Mountain on Sunday by 4 runs with 4 balls to spare.

South Africa had a bat first and scored 287 thanks to 124 by Quinton de Kock and 52 by Rassie van der Dussen.

The visitors were bowled out for 283 Lungi Ngidi and Andile Phehlukwayo each taking three wickets.

The under-fire coach, Mark Boucher, said spin was key in the series.

“It didn't surprise me that the guys played the way that they did. That was because it was just a lot of hard work paying off.

“It was also because of a lot of confidence that they picked up, not only in Sri Lanka, but also heading into the World Cup where the conditions were also turning.

“I think that is a big plus in our camp, the way that the guys played the spin and also the way that our spinners bowled.

“In every game, we outplayed them from a spinning perspective and also outbowled them from a spinning perspective.”

With 229 runs, De Kock was the leading run-scorer in the series. He recorded a highest score of 124 and batted at an average of 76.33. 

Van der Dussen was hot on his heels with 218 runs and the highest score of 129*. As he was only dismissed in the last ODI he batted at an average of 218 runs.

Phehlukwayo was the leading bowler in the series with six scalps at an average of 18.33.

De Kock was named as the Player of the Series.

The Proteas' next game starts on 17 February when they face New Zealand in Christchurch in the 1st Test.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport