Markram goes massive to take Proteas to verge of World Cup

Aiden Markram has scored a superb century and Sisanda Magala claimed five wickets to lead South Africa to a 146-run win over the Netherlands in a one-day international that moves them to the brink of World Cup qualification.

Markram plundered 175 runs off 126 balls as South Africa, put in to bat on Sunday, scored 8-370 off their 50 overs before Magala took his first five-wicket haul to help dismiss the Dutch for 224.

The win lifted South Africa into eighth place in the World Cup Super League standings, from where they can now automatically qualify for the World Cup in October.

The top eight teams participate in the tournament in India, and South Africa can now only be knocked out by Ireland, who must win all three games in their home series against Bangladesh next month to do so.

Markham brought up his first ODI ton as he attacked the Dutch bowlers in a 199-run fifth-wicket partnership with David Miller, who blasted 91 off 61 balls before skying a shot and missing out on his century.

Markham thrashed 17 fours and seven sixes, while Miller hit 10 boundaries.

The Netherlands attack started brightly, dismissing South Africa's openers cheaply but then came in for a peppering, eventually going at 7.4 per over.

Musa Ahmed scored an ODI career-best 61 and Max O'Dowd contributed 47 as the Dutch gamely chased a formidable target but were never able to keep up with the required rate. They were bowled out in 39.1 overs.

South Africa's victory, which followed an eight-wicket win over the Dutch in Benoni on Friday, knocked the West Indies out of eighth place in the Super League standings.

It condemned the Windies to participating in the June qualifying play-off tournament in Zimbabwe where they will chase one of two available places at the 10-team World Cup.

Already qualified for the tournament from October 5-November 19 are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Pakistan and hosts India. .