Aiden Markram top-scored with 49 but it was not enough to prevent the Proteas from going down by eight wickets to Australia in the second T20 International (T20I) – a result that sealed the series for the tourists at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday.

The South Africa captain hit 49 off 38 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) as the hosts stuttered their way to 164 for eight after being asked to bat first.

In reply the visitors were emphatic, cruising to the target in only 14.5 overs to win with more than five overs to spare.

The result gave the Australians an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match sequence with the final match of the series scheduled for the same venue on Sunday.

The home side will only have pride to play for in that game after another disappointing showing on the east coast.

They batted first this time around and got a good start thanks to Temba Bavuma (35 off 17 balls), reaching 36 for none early in the fourth over.

But the Proteas' Test and One-Day International (ODI) captain skied Player of the Match Sean Abbott (3/22) to Josh Inglis to start a horrid slide.

Rassie van der Dussen (6), Reeza Hendricks (3) and Dewald Brevis (0) - the latter pair removed by successive Nathan Ellis (3/25) balls - all fell within the space of three runs as the total slipped to 46 for four.

Tristan Stubbs (27) helped Markram add 51 for the fifth wicket, before he too departed as the hosts sunk further to 97 for five.

From there it was a matter of how much of support Markram could garner from the tail and it was only for 67 more runs as they closed on 164 for eight.

Jason Behrendorff (2/25) was the other successful bowler for the Australians.

Their batters then made light work of the chase.

Travis Head hit 18, before Matthew Short (66 off 30 balls, 7 fours, 4 sixes) and skipper Mitchell Marsh (79* off 39 balls, 8 fours, 6 sixes) put on 100 for the second wicket in a rollicking 7.3 over stand that sealed the game for the away side.