The Springboks won the toss and elected to field first as the Proteas set up a total of 188 for four, thanks to their captain, Faf du Plessis, who scored an undefeated 77.
The Springboks were bowled out for 174 in response, with former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad top-scoring with 38.
The Proteas lost two wickets in two balls early on when Willem Alberts (2-14) dismissed Quinton de Kock (eight) and Henry Davids (nought). But Jacques Kallis (39), who opened the innings, and Du Plessis settled with a third-wicket partnership of 27 in 23 balls.
But then Duane Vermeulen (1-27) bowled a low full-toss which Kallis smashed down the ground only for Skinstad to leap up and take a good catch. JP Duminy (20) and Du Plessis then added 37 before David Miller (40 not out) and Du Plessis lifted the rate and scored an undefeated fifth-wicket partnership of 89 off just 46 balls.
Du Plessis faced just 42 balls and hit seven boundaries and three sixes while Miller hit four boundaries and a six in the 22 balls he faced.
The Springboks made a decent start with Victor Matfield (23) laying a foundation, but wickets at regular intervals meant that the double-rugby world champions were never able to really mount a serious challenge to their target of 189.
The Proteas were so intent on taking early wickets that Du Plessis employed five slips to try and nick out the Springbok opening batsmen.
Franco van der Merwe had the crowd of 15 000 in raptures as he smashed one boundary and three sixes in his 14-ball 28. But Skinstad tried hard to keep the innings together, facing just 22 balls, while hitting four boundaries and two sixes.
Willie le Roux came and went quickly, but not before hitting two fours and a six, scoring 16 off only eight balls. The best partnership the Boks could muster was for the third wicket between Matfield and Van der Merwe, as the pair added 41 off only 24 balls.
Kallis (2-33), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (2-13), Miller (2-21) and Ryan McLaren (2-19) all claimed a brace of wickets as Du Plessis used 10 bowlers to try and stunt the Springbok charge for victory.
Tsotsobe was the only bowler to bowl a maiden in the match, claiming a wicket in his first over to boot, that of Tiaan Liebenberg (three), trapped lbw.
PROTEAS: J Kallis, Q de Kock, H Davids, F du Plessis (capt), JP Duminy (wk), D Miller, R McLaren, D Wiese, L Tsotsobe, A Phangiso, Imran Tahir
SPRINGBOKS: RB Skinstad, V Matfield (capt), CR Liebenberg, WA Alberts, DJ Vermeulen, FM Juries, FPL Steyn, BW du Plessis, WJ le Roux, AD James (wk), F van der Merwe, RK Kleinveldt
© MWP
