In the Proteas' Super 12 match against Bangladesh on Thursday, Rilee Rossouw produced the first century by a South African in the Men's T20 World Cup, and all-rounder Anrich Nortje collected 4/10.
South Africa wanted to start their campaign with a strong victory after their match against Zimbabwe was postponed. With a cold display, they accomplished exactly that.
As South Africa reached 205/5 in their 20 overs, Rossouw pounded 109 off 56 deliveries and added 163 runs for the second wicket with opener Quinton de Kock (63). When Bangladesh was dismissed for 101 in 16.3 overs, Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi (3/20) shared seven wickets between them, handing Bangladesh a crushing defeat.
In spite of losing captain Temba Bavuma (2) with only seven runs on the board, Rilee Rossouw's second T20I century enabled South Africa reach a high total against Bangladesh.
On a day when the left-hander was in spectacular form, Rossouw's knock smashed a number of personal records in addition to setting the highest team total thus far at the T20 World Cup 2022.
Rossouw became the first South African to reach a century at a T20 World Cup, and his 109-run innings ranked fifth in the competition's record books. After two runs by Christ Gayle (48 and 57 balls) and Brendon McCullum, it was also the fourth fastest (58).
With seven fours and an astounding eight big sixes, Rossouw was in lethal form, and his 163-run combination with Quinton de Kock was the driving force behind South Africa's impressive total.
While De Kock's innings was more gradual and steady in comparison, the South Africa opener continued his rapid start to the tournament by adding 63 runs off just 38 deliveries.
South Africa will prove to be a force to be reckoned with in Australia if Rossouw and de Kock can maintain this kind of form.
Anrich Nortje, a speedster, took two Bangladesh wickets in his first over and finished with career-best statistics of 4/10.
While speed ace Kagiso Rabada (1/24) only took one wicket from three respectable overs, spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3/20) collected his three-wicket haul.
Rabada did contribute, however, by dismissing Hasan Mahmud late in the game with a brilliant stroke of fielding in which he threw down the stumps from close range.
Brief results: South Africa defeated Bangladesh 101 all out in 16.3 overs (Litton Das 34, Soumya Sarkar 15; Anrich Nortje 4/10, Tabraiz Shamsi 3/20) with a score of 205/5 off 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 63, Rilee Rossouw 109; Shakib Al Hasan 2/33).