Bangladesh were hoping to end their participation at the tournament in New Zealand on a high, with their captain Saif Hassan electing to bat after winning the toss at the John Davies Oval.

He may have quickly been regretting his choice after being caught off the bowling of Akhona Mnyaka for one run.

Hassan was one of five quick wickets to fall to South Africa’s pace bowlers, with Bangladesh struggling to 33-5.

Afif Hossain and Shakil Hossain provided a strong resistance in a bid to get their innings back on track, both reaching half-centuries.

The duo were eventually caught for 63 and 61 respectively, Bangladesh ultimately scoring a total of 178 all out. 

South African openers Jiveshen Pillay and Matthew Breetzke were both caught out for 12 and 36.

They still eased to their target inside 39 overs, with captain Raynard van Tonder and Hermann Rolfes batting impressively.

Van Tonder finished unbeaten on 82, while Rolfes was 44 not out as South Africa secured a fifth place finish at the tournament.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the third place playoff between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Queenstown.

Australia and India are then scheduled to go head-to-head in the final at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganuion Saturday (February 3).