HARARE, Zimbabwe: Faf du Plessis hit his third century in four games to take South Africa to 271-6 against Zimbabwe on Thursday and just about guarantee his team a place in the triangular series final against Australia.
After having waited over 50 games for his first ODI hundred, Du Plessis continued his rich run of form with 121 at Harare Sports Club -- his second straight century -- to lift South Africa from a wobbling start at 26-2.
In the final round-robin game, Du Plessis found support from JP Duminy, who made 51 in their stand of 103 for the fifth wicket. Du Plessis was patient at first but finished with five fours and four sixes after battling South Africa out of early trouble.
Zimbabwe needs to reach the tough target in 25.2 overs to earn the bonus point it requires to make Saturday's final, an almost impossible task.
Du Plessis entered in the first over after Quinton de Kock fell for just 2. Hashim Amla was then out to a sliding catch by Elton Chigumbura at mid-off as South Africa quickly lost both its openers.
Rilee Rossouw made his first international runs with a flowing cover drive for four and looked good for his 36 before he was bowled by Sean Williams, one of the four spinners Zimbabwe relied on.
Captain AB de Villiers was run out when a powerful shot from Du Plessis deflected off bowler John Nyumbu and hit the stumps at the non-striker's end, catching De Villiers out.
Du Plessis and Duminy rebuilt in a century stand and Du Plessis went past 100 with a clip down the leg side. The next ball, he went down on one knee to belt a flat six over long-off, one of his four maximums. Du Plessis batted for 48 overs and his four scores in the series are now 106, 15, 126 and 121 having never made a 50-over century coming in to the triangular.
Seamer Neville Madziva was Zimbabwe's best bowler with 2-53, but the four-prong spin attack didn't restrict South Africa as much as Zimbabwe wanted. Wayne Parnell hit a six off the last ball to underline what will be an extremely difficult victory target for the home team.
