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Manchester - The Proteas' 2019 Cricket World Cup campaign ended in Manchester on Saturday with a nail-biting 10-run win over old rivals Australia.
It means that South Africa finish the tournament in seventh position.
SCOREBOARD: Proteas v Australia
Since being mathematically eliminated from the competition after their loss to Pakistan at Lord's on June 23, the Proteas have secured back-to-back wins against Sri Lanka in Durham and now the Aussies at Old Trafford.
It is a futile exercise trying to predict how the Proteas may have fared had they found this kind of form when it mattered most, but in front of a packed Manchester crowd they at least gave a reminder of why they were considered semi-final contenders before their opener against England at The Oval back on May 30.
This, even if too late, was more like it.
It has been a long and painful journey, but the Proteas can at least return home with an element of pride restored following their first World Cup win over Australia since 1992.
There was no shortage of drama, with Faf du Plessis (100 off 94) and David Warner (122 off 117) stealing the show with a pair of superb centuries.
Du Plessis played an innings of the highest quality to record South Africa's first and only century at CWC 2019.
The skipper was brilliant as he worked the bowlers all around Old Trafford and middled pretty much everything.
He ends as the Proteas' leading run scorer at the tournament with 387 at an average of 64.50 with one century and three half-centuries.
Converting starts into scores of substance has been one of South Africa's major problems over the last six weeks, but on Saturday they showed what they can achieve when they get that aspect right.
Rassie van der Dussen (95 off 97) fell agonisingly short of a maiden ODI century, but his 151-run partnership with Du Plessis for the third wicket is what ultimately set up South Africa's win.
Van der Dussen has been one of the success stories of the tournament for the Proteas, and he leaves with three half-centuries in six innings and with an average of 62.20.
There were valuable contributions from openers Quinton de Kock (52 off 51) and Aiden Markram (34 off 37) as the Proteas, after winning the toss and batting first, posted 325/6 from their 50 overs.
That was their highest score of the tournament.
The South African supporters, the surprising majority on the packed Old Trafford stands, made a point of giving Warner and Steve Smith a hard time throughout the day.
It was the pair's first match against the Proteas since their role in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal in March 2018 that saw both banned for a year.
Warner gave a masterclass, carding his third century of the tournament in an effort that almost single-handedly kept Australia alive in their chase.
The Proteas were visibly up for the challenge when they took to the field as Kagiso Rabada (3/56 in 10) bowled with gas up front.
It was Imran Tahir (1/59 in 9) who got the initial breakthrough, though, operating as South Africa's opening bowler when he had Australian skipper Aaron Finch caught at cover by Markram.
Tahir wheeled off towards the boundary in celebration for what would prove to be the last time in ODI cricket, and he had put his side on the front foot with Australia in early trouble at 5/1.
Usman Khawaja then retired hurt with a hamstring injury, and when Dwaine Pretorius (2/27 in 6) had Smith trapped LBW for 7, Australia were 33/2 - and effectively 33/3.
Warner, though, is a seriously special player and as long as he was at the crease Australia were always in it.
The hard-hitting left-hander seems to have so much time when he bats, and as a result he is able to hit the bowlers to all corners.
A ridiculous touch from De Kock saw him combine with Rabada to run out Marcus Stoinis for 22, while De Kock then pulled off a world class catch behind the stumps as Rabada removed Glenn Maxwell (12).
Australia's wicketkeeper Alex Carey (85 off 69) gave Warner the support he needed, and together they put on 108 off 90 balls for the fifth wicket as things began to get tense.
It took a moment of brilliance from Chris Morris in the field to finally get the prized scalp of Warner as he launched himself to his left at mid-on to pluck one out of the air off Pretorius, who had removed both Smith and Warner.
227/5 and with Khawaja injured, it began to look a tall order once more for Australia, but Carey made things interesting by taking the attack to the Proteas and hitting them to all parts.
Pat Cummins (9) was well caught by Duminy off Andile Phehlukwayo, but the final nail in the Australian coffin came when Morris had Carey caught by Markram on the sweeper boundary.
Khawaja returned and along with Mitch Starc made things interesting as they needed 25 going into the final two overs, but when Rabada bowled Khawaja for 13, it was 'advantage South Africa' once more.
Rabada then had Starc clean bowled for 16, leaving the Aussies needing another 20 to win off 7 balls with just 1 wicket left.
They ended on 315 all out with Nathan Lyon hitting Phehlukwayo to Markram at deep midwicket as the Proteas got over the line.
It will not change the fact that this World Cup campaign has been incredibly disappointing from a South African point if view, but beating Australia will always be met with a feeling of satisfaction, regardless of the circumstances.
@LloydBurnard is in England covering the 2019 Cricket World Cup for Sport24 ...
