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Cape Town - A century by England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler paved the way for his team's 39 run victory (D/L method) over the Proteas in the first one-day international at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.
As it happened: Proteas v England - First ODI
England captain Eoin Morgan had no hesitation in opting to bat after winning the toss and openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales got their team off to a flyer, with Roy in particular punishing the Proteas bowling.
After Roy departed for a quick-fire 48, Hales and Joe Root continued to bat at over seven runs per over.
Hales fell soon after reaching his half-century bringing dangerous England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler to the crease.
Buttler put the Proteas attack to the sword, reaching his century off just 73 balls (10x4, 5x6). He was ably supported by Root (52) and Ben Stokes who continued his fine form before falling for 57 off 38 balls (4x4, 3x6).
Chris Morris was the pick of the Proteas bowlers picking up 3/74 in his 10 overs.
Despite losing Hashim Amla (6) early, Faf du Plessis (55) and Quinton De Kock (138* off 96 balls) kept the English bowlers under immense pressure during a partnership of 111 for the second wicket.
Du Plessis fell to Moeen Ali shortly after reaching his half-century bringing AB de Villiers to the wicket, with the Bloemfontein crowd expecting another special innings from the Proteas captain.
However, it was not to be as he was brilliantly caught by Ben Stokes on the long-on boundary for 8.
Wickets continued to fall regularly with JP Duminy (13) and Rilee Rossouw (19) unable to build any significant partnerships with De Kock.
Farhaan Behardien then joined the Proteas wicketkeeper in the middle when a storm that had threatened for much of the evening, finally broke.
The Proteas were well behind the required Duckworth-Lewis total of 290 after 34 overs at that point and with the rain not abating, the game was called off, handing victory to England by 39 runs.
Scores
England
399/9 after 50 overs
Buttler 105
Stokes 57
Morris 3/74
South Africa
De Kock 138*
Du Plessis 55
Ali 3/43
