South Africa beat Netherlands at World Cup

AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla hit majestic centuries to lead South Africa to a crushing 231-run triumph over Holland in their World Cup Group B match in Mohali today.

De Villiers scored 134 off 98 balls and Amla 113 off 130 as their 221-run stand for the third wicket helped the Proteas to an imposing total of 351 for five.

The minnows then surrendered without any fight, dismissed for 120 inside 35 overs with Imran Tahir picking up three for 19, to give South Africa the fourth biggest victory in the World Cup history.

Earlier, bowling first after winning the toss, Holland had started well by holding South Africa back in the first 16 overs with Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis dismissed in quick succession by Bernard Loots and Ryan Ten Doeschate respectively.

But it was a short-lived joy as Amla and De Villiers came hard at the minnows with their contrasting approach as Holland's bowlers ran out of ideas.

Amla, who was ruled not out after umpires reviewed a caught-behind appeal when on 18, was typically solid in his approach, while De Villiers added flair to the innings by his powerful strokes on both sides of the wicket.

Amla, who has already piled on 1,300 runs from 20 one-day internationals this season, crafted another gem to bring up his eighth century, while De Villiers' 11th century, his second of the tournament, showcased his big-hitting abilities - he hit four sixes and 13 boundaries.

South Africa amassed 69 in the batting powerplay but lost both Amla and De Villiers during the five-over period.

Amla was the first to go after being caught at point off Ten Doeschate while De Villiers was run out in the next over while trying to steal a couple of runs.

But Jean-Paul Duminy (40 off 15 balls) added 66 in just 24 balls with Faf du Plessis (18 not out) before becoming Ten Doeschate's third wicket of the match. South Africa rattled off 136 runs off the last 10 overs.

In reply Holland crawled to 84 from 23 overs with four of their front-line batsmen back in the pavilion.

Kallis picked up Alexei Kervezee and Tom Cooper inside the first 12 overs while Bas Zuiderent and Wesley Barresi were dismissed by Robin Peterson and Duminy respectively.

Barresi stood amid the ruins to score 44 off 66 balls, but was dismissed to a fine piece of stumping from Morne van Wyk.

The tumble continued as Dale Steyn trapped Ten Doeschate lbw and the rest of the lower order failed to worry South Africa as Holland slipped to 119 for eight in 34 overs.

Tahir then wrapped up the tail in the next over by snaring Loots and Berend Westdijk to complete South Africa's domination of the one-sided encounter.