An excellent century from Jason Roy proved in vain as England succumbed to a 27-run defeat to South Africa in the first one-day international in Bloemfontain.
After winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first, and the home side impressed during the opening stages as they put on 61 in 8.1 overs for the first wicket.
However, by 21.1 overs, the Proteas had been restricted to just 116-3, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran and Olly Stone all chipping in with a wicket apiece.
At the time, Quinton de Kock was the top scorer in the pavilion with 37, but that was about to change as Rassie van der Dussen moved the ball around for a patient century.
Although he chipped in with just six boundaries and a maximum, Van der Dussen made 111 off 117 deliveries, keeping the innings together before his departure late on.
David Miller made 53 at an almost identical strike-rate, taking South Africa to 298-7 off their allotted overs with Curran's 3-35 the best bowling figures for England.
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South Africa win by 27 runs after a remarkable bowling performance pic.twitter.com/7UJaC9DIOS
Despite the target being well within England's capabilities, they would theoretically have to work hard to achieve it, yet Roy and Dawid Malan indicated that would not be the case.
The pair put on 146 for the opening stand in 19.3 overs before Malan was dismissed for 59 from 55 balls, and that resulted in a collapse from the visitors.
Ben Duckett (3) and Harry Brook (0) went cheaply, with it taking a counter-attack from Roy to move England to 196-4 when his wicket went to Kagiso Rabada for 113 off 91 balls, hitting 11 fours and four maximums.
With a deep batting lineup, England were not at a point where they needed to panic until the dismissals of Moeen (11) and Jos Buttler (36) left them on 234-6, still requiring 65 off 78 balls.
Anrich Nortje soon took his third wicket, removing David Willey for nine, putting Curran and Adil Rashid in a position where they needed to protect their wickets and prevent the run-rate from moving to more than a run per ball.
Although they put on 16 for the eighth wicket, South Africa's attack prove too fearsome for the tail-enders, Rashid left stranded on 14 not out as England were bowled out for 271 with 34 balls left unused.
Darren Plant
