South Africa cruise into final

Rhodes hit his second one-day century

VB Triangular Series, Perth: South Africa 270-5 beat New Zealand 203-8 by 67 runs

Click here for scorecard

South Africa have become the first team to qualify for the VB Series final after beating New Zealand and grabbing a precious bonus point in the process.

A century from Jonty Rhodes, a quick-fire 50 from Shaun Pollock and fine bowling from the whole South African attack saw them to a comfortable win.

New Zealand lost their way after Craig McMillan fell to a brilliant catch in the deep by Gary Kirsten.

Like South Africa, the Kiwis lost early wickets in their innings chasing a big target set up largely by Pollock's clean hitting at the death.

  Most runs hit by an individual batsman in a one-day over

Sanath Jayasuriya: 30 v Pakistan, 1995-96

Sanath Jayasuriya: 30 v New Zealand, 2000-01

Shahid Afridi: 28 v Sri Lanka, 1996-97

Shaun Pollock: 27 v New Zealand, 2001-02

Makhaya Ntini removed Nathan Astle and Andre Adams cheaply, then Allan Donald had Lou Vincent caught behind.

When Stephen Fleming chased a wide one from Jacques Kallis, New Zealand were 72-4 and the victory target looked miles away.

But McMillan began pulling and cutting and raced to 46 off 41 balls before Kirsten completed an excellent tumbling catch at third man off Pollock.

The rest of the batting fell away and New Zealand could not even reach 216, which would have saved the bonus point that took South Africa into the final.

South Africa lead the table on 18 points. If they beat Australia on Sunday they will play New Zealand in the three-match final.

Australia will need to beat South Africa and gain a bonus point in the process for the right to play Shaun Pollock's men in the final.

Crucial

At the start of the day, Dion Nash took three early wickets for the Kiwis.

But Rhodes and Mark Boucher mended all South Africa's earlier troubles when they put on 138 for the fifth wicket.

And by the time Boucher was snaffled at mid wicket off Chris Harris for an excellent 58, the team in green were already close to posing a very handy target.

It became a very good score when Pollock clubbed 27 off the 49th over bowled by James Franklin. It included a remarkable four consecutive sixes.

Pollock finished on 69 not out off just 34 balls - while Rhodes was unbeaten on 107 off 135. It was his first one-day century since his 121 in September 1996 against Pakistan.