The Proteas remain unbeaten at the ICC T20 World Cup following an 18-run win against the USA in Antigua.

The Proteas were asked to bat first and scored 194/4 in their 20-overs with Quinton de Kock scoring 74 and Aiden Markram scoring 46.

Heinrich Klaasen with 36 not out and Tristan Stubbs with an unbeaten 20 ensure South Africa put up a very competitive total.

Saurabh Netravalkar with 2/21 and Harmeet Singh with 2/24 were both brilliant with the ball for the USA.

Andries Gous - Cricinfo

In reply, the Free Stater and former Knights batter, Andries Gous, scored an unbeaten 80 as the USA was restricted to 176/6 in their 20-overs.

Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the South African bowlers with 3/18 in his 4-overs.

Following the match Rabada lauded the South African batters for finally coming to the party and made mention of the gem of an innings by Gous.

“The USA has been chasing well and that's the reason why they chose to bowl first,” said Rabada.

“I must commend our batting lineup, especially Quinton. And at the end of the day, we got a respectable total on the board, or more than a respectable total on the board, which gave us an opportunity to put them under pressure with the ball.

“We got a couple of early wickets and then Andries Gous batted extremely well and gave them a good chance and they came close in the end.

“You can never write any opposition off no matter who they're playing for. The USA have been playing well, they beat Pakistan. So, hats off to the way they're playing.”

On Friday the Proteas will face the defending champions, England in Saint Lucia.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport