It was their fourth victory in five matches and their superior run rate of 2.37 puts them above New Zealand although both sides have eight points.

Quinton de Kock struck a superb 174 from only 140 balls as South Africa reached a towering 382 for 5 in 50 overs after winning the toss.

His innings included 17 fours and seven sixes.

It was the highest innings of the tournament so far and already De Kock’s third century.

He posted 131 for the third wicket with skipper Aiden Markram who hit 60.

The arrival of Heinrich Klaasen was the cue for further acceleration and South Africa bludgeoned 186 in their last 15 overs.

Klaasen's 90 came from only 49 balls and contained two fours and eight sixes.

David Miller hit a further four sixes in his unbeaten 34.

When Bangladesh began their run chase, Marco Jansen struck twice in as many balls to remove opener Tanzin Hassad for 12 and Najmul Hossain Shanto for a duck.

When Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan departed for a single in the next over, they were tottering at 31 for 3.

It soon became 42 for 4 when wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim went for 8.

The dismissal of Litton Das for 22 left Bangladesh at 58 for 5.

Mahmudullah tried valiantly to keep the innings together and was given support by the lower order.

Although he was dropped on 74, there were few who begrudged him a century which came up in 104 balls with 10 fours and three sixes.

He was eventually caught by Jansen off Gerard Coetzee for 111.

His eight wicket partnership with Mustafizur Rahman had put on 68 runs.

The end came in the 47th over when Mustafizur was caught by Miller off Lizaad Williams for 11 to end the Bangladesh innings at 233.

They drop below England to the bottom of the table.

Next for South Africa is a meeting with Pakistan in Chennai on Friday.