South Africa v England

At Port Elizabeth, February 4, 2005 (day/night). South Africa won by three wickets. Toss: England.

Smith became the first South Africa captain to score a hundred in a one-day international. But his dismissal in the 43rd over, with his side still 54 short, raised thoughts of another stumble at the last fence. In Smith's own words there was "ecstasy and relief " when Boucher hit effectively, and Prince clipped the first ball of the final over from Gough for the winning boundary. It had been a challenging period for Smith, who awoke the day before to reports of disagreements among the selection panel on the back pages. Gibbs offered another solid innings in support and Smith played with character and power, though he was reprieved twice in the fifties when Trescothick dropped a simple catch and Jones missed a run-out after failing to collect a straightforward throw. All of England's top five had made a start without kicking on. Solanki top-scored on his recall in place of Vaughan, who had a virus, but the last ten overs produced only 58 runs.

Man of the Match: G. C. Smith.