A century from stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis lifted South Africa to a huge 142-run win over Australia and a 2-0 lead in the five-match One-Day International series at The Wanderers on Sunday.
>Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Du Plessis, who is leading the side in this series in the absence of the injured AB de Villiers, plundered 111 from 93 balls as South Africa posted a commanding 361 for six in its 50 overs having been asked to bat by Australia.
The tourist lost regular wickets on a good batting track and was all out for 219 in the 38th over as the home side recorded its second biggest ODI win over Australia by runs, eclipsed only by a 196-run victory a decade ago in Cape Town.
Australia captain Steve Smith inserted South Africa in the belief that bowling conditions would be best in the morning but the home side made a fine start, racing to 70 in the 12th over before Quinton de Kock, who blasted 178 in the first game on Friday, mistimed his shot and was caught for 22.
Fellow opener Rilee Rossouw (75) and JP Duminy (82) made valuable contributions but the innings was steered by Du Plessis's century as he struck 13 fours and manoeuvred the ball around with great skill.
Tremain, Mennie debut
Australia gave debuts to opening bowlers Chris Tremain and Joe Mennie but they found their introduction to international cricket an eye-opener. Tremain recorded figures of 1 for 78 in his 10 overs and Mennie finished with 0 for 82. John Hastings was the pick of the visiting attack with 3 for 57 in his 10.
South Africa, in turn, was able to apply pressure with the ball and never let the Australian scoring tempo climb to the required rate.
David Warner (50) and Travis Head (51) were the only batsmen to threaten big scores but they could not convert to three figures to give their side a chance.
Wayne Parnell (3 for 40 in seven overs) was the most threatening of the home bowlers, while Kagiso Rabada (2 for 31 in seven) and Imran Tahir (1 for 31 in seven) the most miserly. Australia was bowled out for 219, with only David Warner and Travis Head putting up sme resistance with half-centuries.
The third ODI will be played in Durban on Wednesday when South Africa will have an early chance to wrap up the series.
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