Potchefstroom, September 21:

Mark Boucher blasted a 44-ball century as South Africa went on a scoring spree to gain a 171-run win in the third and final one-dayer against Zimbabwe at Sedgars Park on Wednesday.

Boucher finished with 147 not out off 68 balls as South Africa reached 418 for five, only the fourth time 400 has been made in a one-day international — and the third time in four matches involving South Africa. South Africa restricted Zimbabwe to 247 for four in reply, completing a 3-0 series sweep.

Boucher’s century was the second fastest of all time, behind Shahid Afridi’s hundred off 37 balls for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in 1996.

South Africa took advantage of winning the toss and batting in ideal conditions. But they fell short of regaining the world record, which they set when they made 438/9 in an astonishing run chase against Australia’s 434/4 in Johannesburg last March, only for Sri Lanka to better their mark with 443/9 against Holland in July.

Loots Bosman and Alviro Petersen put on 160 off 126 balls for the first wicket. Bosman hit 88 off 70 balls while Petersen made 80 off 74 deliveries.

Captain Jacques Kallis made 50 and Boucher, promoted to number four, rode his luck with some powerful stroke play. He was dropped on seven and on 59 before reaching his maiden one-day century in his 220th match. He was dropped three more times after reaching his century. He hit ten sixes and eight fours.

Zimbabwe were able to bat out the 50 overs without any difficulty. Terry Duffin made a dogged, career-best 88 off 134 balls and shared partnerships of 94 for the second wicket with Justice Chibhabha (46) and 103 for the third with Hamilton Masakadza (55).

South Africa were without bowlers Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini. Australian umpire Daryl Harper stood in the match despite hearing earlier Wednesday that his mother had died in Australia. The teams observed a min-ute’s silence in sympathy.

SCOREBOARD

SOUTH AFRICA

L Bosman st Taylor b Kamungozi 88

A Petersen c & b Utseya 80

J Kallis c Ch’bura b Utseya 50

M Boucher not out 147

J Kemp st Taylor b Kamungozi 10

J Wath b Rainsford 5

J Duminy not out 24

Extras: 14 (lb1, nb4, w9)

Total: 418/5 (50 overs)

FoW: 1-160, 2-199, 3-290, 4-317, 5-351

Zimbabwe bowling: Rainsford 10-0-60-1,

Mupariwa 9-0-81-0, Chibhabha 6-0-61-0,

Utseya 9-0-77-2, Chigumbura 2-0-28-0,

Kamungozi 10-0-70-2, Masakadza 4-0-40-0

ZIMBABWE

T Duffin lbw b Nel 88

V Sibanda c Langeveldt b Nel 1

J Chibhabha c Boucher b T’machus 46

H Masakadza c Boucher b T’machus 55

B Taylor not out 19

S Matsikenyeri not out 16

Extras: 22 (lb14, nb4, w4)

Total: 247/4 (50 overs)

FoW: 1-9, 2-103, 3-206, 4-212

South Africa bowling: Nel 8-1-41-2,

Wath 8-0-43-0, Langeveldt 8-2-34-0,

Hall 9-0-29-0, Telemachus 8-0-33-2,

Duminy 6-1-35-0, Kemp 3-0-18-0